Delhi officials slam Commonwealth Games Federation

Organisers of the Delhi Commonwealth Games have called for the event's top-ranking official in India removed from the country, as concerns over Delhi's preparedness descend into public bickering between the 2010 event's controlling bodies escalates.

The organisers' demand comes after they were told by Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) officials in Delhi last Monday that a review panel will be installed to ensure the lagging preparation of games venues is sped up.

Suresh Kalmadi, Chairman of the Organising Committee for the 2010 Indian Commonwealth Games, has responded by calling for the removal of Commonwealth Games Federation CGF Chief Executive Mike Hooper for "an impediment to the smooth functioning of the organising committee."

Kalmadi told reporters that Hooper, a New Zealand national, "should be sent back to London, he has not been beneficial to the organising committee and is of no use to us. The CGF should replace him immediately."

CGF President Michael Fennell, who last Monday warned Delhi that it faced "an enormous challenge" to be ready for the Games and called for a rapid injection of international expertise to speed up preparations has hit back, ruling out Hooper's removal and saying the organising committee has more pressing priorities than criticising officials.

Fennell stated "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."

Hooper reacted by saying he was very disappointed by Kalmadi's comments, saying "this seems to be a traditional position instead of addressing the real issues. My role has been very positive for building things forward."

Kalmadi also criticised plans for the review panel, saying "there is no need for a separate monitoring agency ... if they want they can add some technical experts to the co-ordination commission which is already monitoring the Games' work."

Melbourne's The Age newspaper reported that Australian Commonwealth Games Association Chief Executive Perry Crosswhite, who was in Delhi as part of Monday's assembly, said it appeared to be a case of Indian officials wanting to save face, stating "the Federation's taken a strong stand ... the organising committee has reacted to that and he (Hooper) is the target."

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