CGF rejects OC demands to remove Hooper and scrap panel

New Delhi, Oct 16 (PTI) The showdown between the
Commonwealth Games organisers and their international bosses
took a more acrimonious turn Friday with the CGF rejecting
calls for the event CEO's ouster and bluntly telling the
Organising Committee to focus on the work at hand.

The Commonwealth Games Federation president Michael
Fennell also ruled out scrapping its proposed independent
monitoring panel to oversee the preparations, setting the
stage for what now appears to be a protracted and bitter
tussle between the organisers and its parent body.

A day after Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi
had sought event's CEO Mike Hooper's sacking describing him as
"useless", the CGF threw its weight behind its high-ranked
official and made it clear that there was no question of any
change at this stage.

"We are naturally very surprised and disappointed in
receiving this request to remove Mr Hooper from Delhi given
his unquestionable commitment to successful celebration of
2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi," Fennell said from Jamaica.

"I have responded to Mr. Kalmadi's letter and public
statements in writing, recording that Mr Hooper enjoys the
full support of the CGF's Executive Board, and that he is an
outstanding Chief Executive and leader of the CGF management
team," he said in a statement.

"He is totally dedicated to Commonwealth Games movement
and we consider such a personal attack on him is unwarranted,"
the miffed CGF president said. MORE PTI AY
DDC


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