Thaindian News

New Delhi, Oct 3 (IANS) Suresh Kalmadi, head of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, Sunday missed the name of Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) CEO Mike Hooper in his welcome speech at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony.

Kalmadi thanked all the officials who have contributed to the Oct 3-14 Games but noticeably left out Hooper, with whom he did not enjoy the best of relations.

Hooper had been stationed in New Delhi for nearly three years to oversee the Games preparedness.

A New Zealander, Hooper raised a storm with his critical statements over the delays in the completion of the venues, especially the Games Village which he at one time termed “filthy and unliveable”.

In his speech, Kalmadi said the intention to get the Games in New Delhi was to make India a sports concious nation. Despite severe criticism, the country will host the “best-ever Games”, he said.

Nearly 7,000 athletes are in India to compete in the Games, the largest number in the history of the quadrennial event.

“Our dream is coming true and India’s big moment is finally here,” Kalmadi said.