New Delhi, Aug 16 : India's Olympic bronze medallist wrestler Sushil Kumar feels that amidst all the controversies surrounding the Commonwealth Games, the interests of the athletes should not be forgotten.

Kumar said the preparations for the Games have been overshadowed by politics as charges of corruption are being levelled everyday against Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (CGOC) Chairman Suresh Kalmadi.

"Politics has a major role to play in the organising of events like the Commonwealth Games, but it's unfair to the athletes if they are left in second place. At the end of the day, the Games are about the athletes and the controversies should not get them out of focus," Sushil told IANS from Sonepat over phone.

"We should discuss the arrangements, but athletes should also be discussed. This would boost our morale," he said.

Sushil went on to add that he was happy with the facilities being provided to wrestlers by the federation and the sports ministry.

"The national camp here (Sonepat) is going well and wrestlers are training hard. This time wrestlers will emerge as a big force to reckon with at the Commonwealth Games," he said.

Jagmender Singh, national freestyle wrestling coach, is also pinning his hopes on Sushil.

"I'm very sure about Sushil's performance and he could definitely make India proud," Singh said. (IANS)