IOA insists Hooper has to go
October 16th, 2009 - 4:36 pm ICT by IANSNew Delhi, Oct 16 (IANS) A day after launching a scathing attack on Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) Chief Executive Officer Mike Hooper and asking for his replacement, the India Olympic Association (IOA) Friday said it would not budge from its demand.
IOA president and Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi, who called Hooper an “impediment” to their working, said he will meet CGF president Michael Fennell in London Oct 28 to discuss the matter.
Hooper has rejected Kalmadi’s comments, calling them “unfair and unjust”. He also asked Kalmadi not to launch “personal attacks” and instead address issues raised by the CGF board regarding the Delhi Commonwealth Games.
Kalmadi said he had not made any personal attack. “I didn’t launch a personal attack on Hooper. We don’t want him sacked but want him to go from Delhi and function from London,” he said.
Kalmadi reiterated Friday that Hooper, who has been staying in the Indian capital for two years, had been of little help. He vowed to raise the issue with Fennell in London.
“Hooper has been of no use. I will be meeting Fennell in London on Oct 28 and discuss the issue,” he said.
Speaking to IANS Thursday, Hooper said he was not prepared to leave India.
“When Michael Fennell’s letter to the (Indian) Prime Minister was leaked, the organisers said it was a ‘wake up call’. It is disappointing to see that instead of addressing the issue raised, it has been used to launch a personal attack on the CEO of the organisation.
“But 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. I am in touch with my board and I have their backing. I am committed to the issues at hand and I am not interested in making any personal remarks. I continue to be a stakeholder.
“Kalmadi and I have had a normal relationship. We have had a candid chat on various issues pertaining to the games. But never once has he raised the objection in our meetings.”
The IOA has rejected CGF’s recommendation to appoint a technical panel to monitor the progress of the games every month.
- Fennell rejects all OC demands, Kalmadi stays firm (Lead) - Oct 16, 2009
- CGF rejects Delhi OC demand to sack CEO Hooper - Oct 16, 2009
- Kalmadi's charges unwanted, unfair: Hooper - Oct 15, 2009
- Delhi protests upset me: Hooper - Oct 05, 2010
- Gill meets Games chief Fennell, says all issues resolved - Oct 29, 2009
- We do not want any confrontation with CGF: Kalmadi - Oct 23, 2009
- IOA rejects CGF proposal for independent monitoring of games preparations - Oct 15, 2009
- Sports Minister meets Kalmadi over tussle with Fennell - Oct 20, 2009
- We have not taken a step back: Kalmadi - Nov 22, 2009
- Kalmadi, Hooper controversy should have been averted: Gill - Oct 19, 2009
- Some heated moments, but we'll resolve Hooper issue: Kalmadi - Oct 26, 2009
- Fennell meets Kalmadi, says there are issues to be resolved - Oct 28, 2009
- I wil try and broker peace between Kalmadi, Fennell: Gill - Oct 19, 2009
- Fennell, Kalmadi confident Delhi will be ready for Games - Jun 25, 2010
- Fennel visits Commonwealth Games sites - Aug 18, 2010
Tags: address issues, ceo, chief executive officer, committee chairman, commonwealth games federation, hooper, impediment, indian prime minister, michael fennell, New Delhi, objection, olympic association, organisers, organising committee, personal attack, personal attacks, personal remarks, scathing attack, suresh kalmadi, wake up call
