New Delhi: Facing a credibility crisis and
under pressure to deliver a successful Commonwealth Games next
year, Organising Commitee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi insists that
he was not being sidelined by the Indian government and he
sees no reason to step down from his post.
After his public spat with the Commonwealth Games
Federation Chief Michael Fennell and CEO Mike Hooper, the
Games Organising Committee and the parent body have been on a
collision course on organisational issues for the past few
months.
Kalmadi, however, claims that all the issues have been
sorted out and he enjoys full support of the Indian
government, dismissing suggesstion that he was being sidelined
in the light of some new appointments in the Organising
Committee.
"Let me tell you that the Government is supporting me
fully. All the officers have come at my request and I have
also asked for a lot of people from Army.”
"About 50 people are joining from the Army as well and so
we have asked people from Public Sectors, Private sectors and
from the Government as well. They will do the work which they
are supposed to do. So I am happy with them coming here,"
Kalmadi said.
The government had appointed Jarnail Singh as CEO of the
Organising Committee and named three senior IAS officials
to work with him. A sub-committee was also formed to monitor
and regulate financial matters. A Group of Ministers will also
meet every two weeks to monitor progress.
On the sub-commitee, Kalmadi said, "I would like to say
the Government has increased the budget from Rs 700 crore to
Rs 1600 crore and they have put committees to look into the
financial matters. I am very happy on that."
Doubts are mounting over the successful conduct of the
Games under his leadership but the IOA chief said he would not
call it quits.
"There is no question of my stepping aside. These Games
have been allotted to the Indian Olympic Association and whole
Indian Olympic Association is doing a great job.
"There is no question of stepping aside when only eight
months are left for the Games. No body is going to run away
from these Games. We are going to do it and will present the
best Games ever. We are determined about that," he said.
Kalmadi also asserted that he has not conceded to the
demands of Fennell, rather they have worked out a formula
acceptable to both the sides, but refused to divulge details.
"That's not true (about giving in to Fennell). And I
don't want to comment more on that. It was give and take on
both sides and we have reached total agreement," Kalmadi said.
Specifically asked if he has agreed to Fennell's demand
that an independent panel of experts be formed to monitor the
progress of the work, Kalmadi refused to speak on the issue.
"I don't want to discuss about it because we have
resolved the issue. There is a coordination commission which
is coming and all the decisions will be taken after that and
we will have another meeting with Mike Fennell and all these
things will be decided. You will come to know after December.
We have decided not to talk about it at all," he said.
Kalmadi though admitted to have appointed more foreign
experts as demanded by Fennell but insisted that they have come
in areas where India had no expertise.
"We have already got the foreign hires, all of them are
in place. We have just added two or three more. What is
required for the Games to be successful, we have done it and
there is no controversy between the Commonwealth Games and the
Indian Olympic Association," he said.
On being reminded that in October he had said no to more
foreign experts, Kalmadi said, "When there is 50 in place, 2-3
is not a big number. They have agreed that as far as the new
games are concerned -- netball, rugby -- we can have the
foreign consults but in other events like shooting,
weightlifting, or archery, where Indians are already well
placed, there is no need for foreign managers."
Kalmadi admitted compromising the Organising Committee's
stand on the Hooper issue but insisted it was in the interest
of the Games.
"If I have conceded anything, it's in the interest of the
Games and for the country. I have conceded. Mike Fennell has
conceded on various issues. But I can't tell you what Mr Mike
Fennell has spoken with Mike Hooper. Now things are alright,
me and Mike Hooper are meeting quite regularly and things are
moving forward.
"In the interest of the Games, I am ready to take one
step back. Let me tell you that much. I have no ego on that."
Bureau Report
First Published: Sunday, November 22, 2009, 11:51