Thaindian News

New Delhi, Oct 16 (IANS) With less than a year to go for the Commonwealth Games, there appears to be no end in sight to the standoff between the Games Organising Committee (OC) and the Games’ Federation (CGF) over the continuance of CGF chief executive officer Mike Hooper and the setting up of technical review panel.
In a strongly worded statement, CGF chief Michael Fennell, speaking from his home back in Jamaica, rejected all the demands of the OC, including for recall of Hooper.

Fennell said that Hooper had a vital role to play with the Delhi Games. He also said the CWG will go ahead with setting up of a high-powered review panel to monitor the monthly progress of the Games, a move the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) executive council rejected.

“We are naturally very surprised and disappointed in receiving this request to remove Mr Hooper from Delhi given his unquestionable commitment to the successful celebration of the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi,” Fennell said in a statement.

Kalmadi launched a scathing attack on Hopper Thursday, calling him an “impediment” in the preparation of the Games and wrote Fennell to replace him with someone who can be “useful”.

“I have responded to Mr. Kalmadi’s letter and public statements in writing, recording that Mr. Hooper enjoys the full support of the CGF’s Executive Board, and that he is an outstanding chief executive and leader of the CGF management team,” Fennell said.

“He is totally dedicated to the Commonwealth Games movement and we consider that such a personal attack on him is unwarranted.”

“Instead of attacking Mr Hooper, I urge the Organising Committee to focus on the issues raised by us in Delhi following our General Assembly on Monday, and to commit to working collaboratively with all stakeholders on addressing these matters with urgency,” Fennell said.

“That is the clear commitment of the CGF Board, Mr. Hooper and his staff.”

Fennell also asked the OC to accept the technical review panel.

“We will implement the Technical Review Panel as detailed, and urge the Organising Committee to embrace the use of Games experts to fast-track systems required for the Games operation,” the Games chief said rather firmly.

The OC and national federations were also incensed at the CGF’s insistence on hiring foreign experts, but Fennell said it was a normal practice in every Games.

“The hiring and use of foreign expertise is standard practice for major Games such as occurred in Beijing and as is occurring in Vancouver for the Winter Olympic Games.”

“This is now considered best practice with organising committees of major international multi-sport events.”

Kalmadi, however, told IANS that he would discuss with Fennell all issues when they meet in London on Oct 28 for the Queen’s Baton Relay.

“Fennell in his mail to me said all the issues can be sorted out when we meet next in London. There is no confrontation with CGF as is being made out in the media. Fennell suggested a lot of things. We will take most as good advice.”

Kalmadi also said the decision at the IOA executive meeting to seek Hooper’s “repatriation” was unanimous and everyone spoke in one voice.

“Let me clarify yet again that I have never asked for the sacking of Hooper. I have only said that he should not function from India and we have no objection to his working from London.”

Hooper was happy with the backing of the CGF.

“I am pleased to hear that CGF had backed my stay. I remain steadfast to the responsibility given to me by CGF. My job is to push for delivery of the work and I am committed to it,” he said.