"It's the understatement of the year that the games are behind schedule and that we have concerns regarding the preparations" - scathing criticism from Mike Hooper, the Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth Games Federation.

That's the latest in the very public and very ugly war of words between different groups of organizers for the 2010 Games.

At the centre of the war, is the issue of Delhi's lack of preparedness for the Games. Most of the venues for the Games are still not ready, and are therefore months behind schedule.  The Commonwealth Games Federation has repeatedly expressed its concern over this, leading to a face-off with Suresh Kalmadi, who is in charge of organizing the Games for Delhi.

On Thursday, Kalmadi dealt a double whammy.  First, he rejected the Federation's proposal to have an independent panel monitor Delhi's progress every month.  And then, he lashed out at Mike Hooper.  Describing him as useless and an impediment, Kalmadi demanded that Hooper be sacked.  

Hooper responded by saying he's not going anywhere, and Kalmadi should set aside personal differences.  Hours later, Hooper was defended by Mike Fennell, the President of the Commonwealth Games Federation.

Fennell had visited the different venues for the Games earlier this month.  He has already written to the Indian Prime Minister, asking him to intervene, and ensure that Delhi moves faster to meet its deadlines.