New Delhi:
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Suresh Kalmadi has said he will continue to push for Mike Hooper's transfer. "Fennel has not totally rejected my demand to transfer Hooper, we will hold talks on the matter," he said.
Kalmadi said he would be meeting the President of the Commonwealth Games Federation
on October 28 to discuss the Hooper issue.
The IOC chief, however, denied he ever launched a personal attack against the Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth Games Federation. "I did not launch a personal attack against Hooper, the entire Olympic Committee was unhappy with him," he said.
Kalmadi added that his spat with Hooper would not affect the Games.
Earlier, in response to Kalmadi's charges, Hooper launched a scathing attack on the IOC chief, who is also in charge of organising the Commonwealth Games for Delhi. "It's the understatement of the year that the games are behind schedule and that we have concerns regarding the preparations," Hooper said.
Kalmadi had on Thursday requested that Mike Hooper be sent back to London. Hooper is the Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth Games Federation.
In a direct attack, Kalmadi said Hooper has "not proved beneficial to the organizing committee of the Games... he has been of no use. We've asked that he be sent back to London, and we'd like a replacement".
Commonwealth Games Federation chief Michael Fennell, however, rejected Kalmadi's call to recall his CEO Mike Hooper from India.
"We are disappointed in receiving this request to remove Mr Hooper from Delhi, given his unquestionable commitment. I have responded to Mr. Kalmadi's letter. Mr. Hooper enjoys full support of the CGFs Executive Board. We consider that such a personal attack on him is unwarranted," said Fennell.
India had on Thursday also rejected what was seen as the compromise formula for the 2010 Games. Suresh Kalmadi had said he will not accept an independent panel of experts to monitor Delhi's progress for the Games. Kalmadi is Chairman of the Organizing Committee for next year's Games.
On Monday, a new committee that would review India's preparations every month was suggested by Mike Fennel, the President of the Commonwealth Games Federation. The Big Brother panel was seen as a thinly veiled indictment.
Fennel had written directly to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asking for his help with the Games. Fennell and other delegates visited several of the venues for the Games in Delhi last week. Construction at most venues are running behind schedule.
The politics of organizing the Games could soon overshadow the real task at hand: getting Delhi ready on time, and without rushing through safety checks.
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.