Gill meets Games chief Fennell, says all issues resolved

Indian Sports Minister M.S. Gill said Thursday he has assured the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) that India is ready to host “good Games” in 2010 and the entire country is behind the efforts.

“I told them that we are ready for a good Games,” Gill told journalists after meeting CGF head Michael Fennell in London Thursday.

Gill indicated that all issues, including Organising Committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi’s objections over a monitoring committee for the 2010 Games, had been resolved. Gill would not say if he met with CGF CEO Mike Hooper, who is also said to be in London.

“The Indian people and government are clearly focussed that we want a very good Games.

“The mood of the country, the prime minister (Manmohan Singh) and the entire cabinet is that we will do whatever is necessary to make the Games a success. That is the message from the prime minister,” Gill said.

The minister refused to divulge the deadlines for the completion of projects, but said he had the dates with him.

“This is not the end of the world. There is no fight happening,” Gill added.

Fennell told IANS that talks will continue over the next few days. Follow-up talks will take place when the Games Coordination Committee visits New Delhi Dec 18.

Earlier this month, Kalmadi ruffled feathers by calling for Hooper to be sacked, claiming that he was "useless" and "an impediment" to the smooth functioning of the organising committee.

However, Hooper has received the strong backing of Fennell, who said recently, “Instead of attacking Hooper, I urge the organising committee to focus on the issues raised by us in Delhi (during the CGF delegation's visit)."

Fennell and Kalmadi have already held talks in London Wednesday. They met for a second round Thursday following the launch of the Queen's Baton Relay at Buckingham Palace, which officially raises the curtain on the Commonwealth Games.

Last updated on Oct 29^th, 2009 at 19:31 pm IST--IANS