CGF may ask Kalmadi to apologise for Hooper snub

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) may ask for an apology from Suresh Kalmadi, chairman of the organising committee (COC) of the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games for “defaming” Mike Hooper, chief executive officer of CGF, deputed for the past two years to observe, monitor and advice in relation to preparations for the event.

Kalmadi and the CGF, represented by its Jamaica-based president, Mike Fennell and Hooper, and Union minister of sports MS Gill are expected to gather for a crucial meeting on Wednesday or Thursday evening.

They want to resolve the sharp tension that has arisen after the COC’s outburst against Hooper earlier this month, describing him as an “impediment” and “useless” following a meeting of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on this issue.

A senior official of CGF told this correspondent: “Suresh Kalmadi owes an apology” to Hooper. Asked to comment on this, Hooper said: “I have nothing against Kalmadi. I am there to do a job and I will continue doing so.” Kalmadi dismissed any suggestions of difficulties at a news conference on Monday. He spoke of a “compromise” and gave an assurance that everything would be “sorted out” when he meets Fennell, whom he praised, without making any reference to Hooper.

IOA had also expressed reservations about an independent technical review panel being appointed to inspect the progress of the preparedness of the organising committee. Fennell had announced the formation of a panel after the visit of a 71-member delegation to New Delhi.

Fennell seemed to be on an attacking mode. He stated: “Instead of attacking Mr Hooper, I urge the organising committee to focus on the issues raised by us in Delhi (during the CGF delegation’s visit).”

He added: “We will form the technical review panel as detailed.” Till Tuesday, CGF’s position was uncompromising. Fennell, who arrives in London today, will call on the Commonwealth secretary general, Kamlesh Sharma, in the afternoon before he meets Gill and Kalmadi.

Kalmadi’s stance has evidently softened since he undiplomatically tore into Fennell at a media conference in Delhi. It is unambiguous that the central government, including Gill, were not best pleased with such an intemperate public statement.

A senior official in the Indian sports ministry sarcastically remarked: “With a 500 member organising committee, they need a stadium to hold a meeting, not a committee room.”
 This can be interpreted as nothing but an indictment of Kalmadi.

Since then, professional management, in the shape of a chief executive of the Organising Committee and other senior executives, has been put in place by the Ministry.
Records of correspondence between the CGF and the organising committee indicate that the former have been flagging their concern since 2007 and Kalmadi has been effectively acknowledging this, including agreeing to the stationing of Hooper in Delhi.

The CGF’s main issue has been “the capacity of the organising committee to deliver operationally,” not so much the construction of venues or creating of infrastructure.