By Dipankar De Sarkar,IANS,
London : Suresh Kalmadi, the chairman of the organising committee of the Delhi Commonwealth Games, promised Monday to address his reservations over Mike Hooper at a key meeting in London this week, and resolve all issues by December.
Kalmadi, who is to meet Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) president Michael Fennell either Tuesday or Wednesday, said he was looking forward to the London-based official’s support to resolve “all issues”, including his demand for the CGF chief executive officer Mike Hooper to be replaced.
He refused to say if he will press his demand with Fennell, which has caused a storm in India.
“In my meeting with Michael Fennell, I’ll address most of the issues, and whatever is pending will be resolved by December when the Coordination Committee comes to Delhi,” said Kalmadi, who is in London to attend the launch of the Commonwealth Games Baton.
“About Mike Hooper, we are discussing the matter. We will discuss the issue with Michael Fennell and I’m sure all issues will be resolved, because the Games are important for us and we have to look after the Games.”
“There were some heated moments, but the Games will happen. Some issues will always be there. Michael Fennell has given us a lot of support and I’m sure… we’ll find a way out,” he added.
Kalmadi said: “We have not organised a games at this scale for 27 years, since the Asian Games. There are challenges, no doubts about that. There are challenges but we are facing up to them.”
He, however, said there was no need for an international panel to monitor progress of preparation.
“We don’t need the monitoring committee – that’s what we are saying. But in case they come, we will welcome them. No issue about that.”