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CGF rejects Delhi OC demand to sack CEO Hooper |
The Commonwealth Games Federation
(CGF) on Friday made it clear that it would not bend to the Delhi Games Organising
Committee’s (OC) demand to remove its Chief Executive Officer Mike Hooper. The
CGF also made it clear that there is no question of backtracking from its plan
to have a Technical Review Panel to monitor preparation for the 2010 Games. CGF
President Michael Fennell advised the OC to focus more on the work at hand, rather
than seeking someone's removal. Fennel also criticised the OC for launching a
personal attack on Hooper. On Thursday, Indian Olympic Association chairman Suresh
Kalmadi described Hooper's two-year stint with the OC as useless and an impediment.
Terming Hooper's tenure as not beneficial to the OC, Kalmadi said: ``Instead,
he has only been an impediment to our functioning despite spending two years in
the capital.” In a statement issued from Jamaica Fennel said: "We are naturally
very surprised and disappointed in receiving this request to remove Mr Hooper
from Delhi given his unquestionable commitment to the successful celebration of
the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi .” "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 is totally dedicated to the Commonwealth
Games movement and we consider that such a personal attack on him is unwarranted,"
Fennel stated. In his statement, Fennel advised the OC that instead of attacking
Hooper, it should focus on the issues raised by the CGF during its recent visit
to Delhi . He also advised the OC to commit itself to working collaboratively
with all stakeholders in matters raised by the CGF with urgency. " Mr Hooper is
charged with working in partnership with the Organising Committee and other stakeholders
towards achieving this. I note Mr Hooper has reaffirmed this position and I thank
him for his commitment to the success of the Games," Fennell said. On the other
hand, Kalmadi said that he had not launched a personal attack on Hooper. On his
part, Hooper said he was happy with the backing he was getting from the CGF and
President Fennel . “I am very pleased that Mr. Fennel has endorsed my work here.
I am pleased to be vindicated by Mr. Fennel ’s full support. Mr. Kalmadi and I
need to work professionally and together. As long as we do that, I am sure we
will achieve the common goal of the greater game of 2010” said Hooper. Earlier,
Kalmadi had opposed the CGF’s proposal to have a Technical Review Panel, saying
there was no need for a separate monitoring agency. Fennell, however, asserted
that the panel was a must if Delhi had to fasttrack its preparation. "We will
implement the Technical Review Panel as detailed, and urge the Organising Committee
to embrace the use of Games experts to fast track systems required for the Games
operation," he said. In his statement, Fennel also stressed on the necessity of
having foreign consultants, as it’s a standard practice in organising a major
international multi-sport event. "The goal is to conduct a Commonwealth Games
that India can be proud of, setting itself up for other Games in the future, so
as to take advantage of its new sporting infrastructure," Fennel emphasized. |
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