Gill`s absence from C`wealth Shooting opening raises eyebrows

New Delhi: His name figured prominently in the invites sent out for the ceremony but Sports Minister M S

Gill was conspicuous by his absence from the Commonwealth Shooting Championship`s inauguration here today. Asked the reasons of his skipping the ceremony, the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee officials claimed that he was never supposed to attend the function at the Karni Singh Range and it was a case of miscommunication. "He was not supposed to come. Media has been fed wrong information," claimed an OC official who didn`t wish to be named. But when pointed out that Gill`s name figured in the invites sent out by both OC and the Sports Ministry, the officials chose to keep mum. "We don`t know, there is definitely some confusion some where," an official said. Indian Olympic Association chief and OC chairman Suresh Kalmadi, who was snubbed by Gill when the Karni Singh Shooting Range was inaugurated last month, sidestepped queries on Gill`s absence. "You should ask him about this," Kalmadi said with a wry smile. Gill and Kalmadi have not been on best of terms for long but the two have never openly criticised each other. Even today, Kalmadi praised Gill`s contribution in the development of investiture for the Games. "Dr Gill is doing a fantastic job," he said. PTI