Games 2010: War of words gets ugly

"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.

Irrespective of that, or perhaps because of that, Suresh Kalmadi has responded by saying he will not give up his attempts to have Hooper removed from India. Kalmadi heads the committee organizing the Games in Delhi.

Kalmadi first asked for Hooper's dismissal on Thursday evening, and was turned down by Mike Fennell, the President of the Commonwealth Games Federation.

However, on Friday, Kalmadi told NDTV that Fennell has agreed to consider his demand.

Speaking to NDTV, Kalmadi says, “They are more than welcome to keep him, I have just said not to keep him in India, as we can’t concentrate when he is around. (AP Photos)

Still playing out in public, then, the very ugly war between the Indian organizers and the international committee for the 2010 Games.

In an embarrassing exchange caught on camera by NDTV on Friday evening, the secretary general of the 2010 Commonwealth Games, Lalit Bhanot tried to stop Mike Hooper from speaking to the press.

Both men argued for several minutes, after Bhanot said "You'll have to stop this interview. Hooper rejected that request.

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. (AFP Photo)

Construction at most venues is reportedly running behind schedule.

And there has been criticism from participant countries over Delhi's lack of preparedness for the games, that shall be held exactly a year from now, in October 2010. (AFP Photo)