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2010 Games: Sports minister as peace-broker
Press Trust of India, Tuesday October 20, 2009, New Delhi

Taking the first step towards brokering peace between the 2010 Organising Committee and the Commonwealth Games Federation, Sports Minister MS Gill on Tuesday met OC chairman Suresh Kalmadi to discuss the vexed issues that have hit the capital's preparation for the event.

Kalmadi came to Gill's residence on Tuesday morning where the Sports Minister took stock of the progress of preparations and discussed the contentious issues that have the OC and the CGF at loggerheads.

"I met Mr Kalmadi on Tuesday and had a long discussion on all the matters. I will be talking to (CGF Chief) Mr Mike Fennell on telephone and will have a meeting with him, (CGF CEO Mike) Hooper and Mr Kalmadi in London on October 28," Gill said after the meeting.

"I am confident that all issues will be resolved and everyone will work in unison to ensure a very good Commonwealth Games in Delhi next year," the minister added.

The OC and the CGF seemed to have reached a deadlock over mainly two issues -- the necessity of a Technical Review Panel and Hooper's stay in Delhi.

Fennell, soon after the CGF general assembly earlier this month, made it clear that the organisers needed to pull up their socks and fast-track their preparations if the capital is to deliver on its commitment of putting on the best Commonwealth Games ever.

Fennell said the CGF had decided to set up a Technical Review Panel to monitor the progress, a suggestion that did not go down well with the OC with Kalmadi out rightly rejecting the idea.

Hooper's presence remains another bone of contention with Kalmadi describing the CGF top official as an "impediment" to the capital's preparation and seeking his removal.

"I will ask Mr Fennell to depute someone who can work with us. That is all. We need someone who guides and encourages us and not confront us at all meetings," Kalmadi had earlier said in a statement.

The OC, meanwhile, has bluntly told Hooper not to come to the OC headquarters and work from home till, they hope, the CGF withdraws him.

The CGF, however, has thrown its weight behind Hooper with Fennell saying that the official has the full support of the Executive Board.

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Comments
Posted by Rahul on Oct 21, 2009
Dear Sir, I can tell with full confidense that all what is said about completion dates and construction work in Stadiums under control is BIG LIE. You will be surpirsed to note that the construction teams running each project of Common wealth Games do not have any similar experience and are unble organize, plan and run the projects. At each project site there are many contractors working and there is no coordination in construction work and this has become a mess and one only can expect this work will get delayed further. Certain specialised construction works in the project requires certain defined time period and it can be done under clear access requirement and Safety in place. Unfortunately nothing like such in place as the responsible authories have not done any such complex projects and hense cannot understand the importance, so these so called authorities niether capable to run such projects nor listen to expertise contractor, as they feel offended. I can tell with 200% confidense that the JNS stadium will not be completed even after 7-8 months from today.
Posted by Vineet on Oct 20, 2009
What's wrong in setting up a technical review pannel who would over-view the progression of work for the Delhi Common wealth games. Is Mr.Kalamadi too cautious about not to have something reveal out in the public? Does the organising committee have some other plans,i.e., fund diversion etc.The organising committee including Mr.Kalamadi is answerable to the People of the republic of India in these matters
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