Click to play videoNew Delhi: The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has slammed the Commonwealth Games Federation for interference in the work of the organisation of the 2010 Delhi Games. The IOA has asked for the recall of Michael (Mike) Hooper, the Chief Executive Officer of the CGF, which is a clear sign that the gloves are off in this high profile confrontation.
On Wednesday, CNN-IBN reported exclusively that the IOA was seething at what they perceived to be an attempt by the Commonwealth Games Federation to hijack the 2010 Games.
On Thursday Indian Olympic Association president Suresh Kalmadi and all the top bosses of the IOA got together to declare an all out war. The target was the CGF's decison to set an independent technical review commite to oversee the 2010 Games preparations.
The IOA Vice-President Vijay Kumar Malhotra said it was unfair to suggest that only foreigners were capable of doing a good job adding that expertise should be sought only wherever necessary.
VK Malhotra said, "These are Commonwealth Games, not Imperial Games. India is a sovereign country and we have numerous capable people. A lot of things are possible in house."
The IOA expressed its resentment at the recommendation for the formation of a review panel by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF). The recommendation for foreign experts for conducting the 2010 Games did not go down well with the IOA too.
Addressing a press conference after the Executive Committee meeting, Kalmadi went a step ahead and asked for the removal of Hooper, as his two-year presence in the Capital had not been beneficial to the organising committee.
"It said, he (Mike Hooper) has only been an impediment to the functioning despite being two years in the capital. He has been of no use. It asked the organising committee to write to the CGF, recommending Mr Hooper's repatriation from Delhi."
CNN-IBN has a copy of a letter written to CGF boss Mike Fennel alleging that Hooper assualted an Organising committee staff a few months back.
Meanwhile Hooper vehemently refuted the charges levelled by Suresh Kalmadi of being an 'impediment' in the preparation of the 2010 Games, saying they are "unwanted, unfair and unjust."
"Instead of addressing the real issues, launching a personal attack which you know is something not only uncalled for but also totally inappropriate. Certainly you will understand that from my perspective in the last two years have been very, very positive," Mike Hooper told CNN-IBN.
Hooper however added that though he deplored the comments by the IOA members, he remains committed to the work entrusted by CGF of seeing a successful organisation of the Games in New Delhi in 2010.
(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)
More on IBNLive Right Now
TOP NEWS
MOST SHARED
PHOTOGALLERY
