*Commonwealth blame games: No sporting spirit* *[image: FACE-OFF: Organising Committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi (L) still insists that CEO Mike Hooper (R) be replaced.]* * *
*New Delhi: The extent to which the relationship between Commonwealth Games<http://connect.in.com/commonwealth-games/profile-543083.html>Federation CEO Mike Hooper and the 2010 Games Organising Committee (OC) has soured was evident when OC officials tried to stop the New Zealander from addressing the media at their headquarters in the Capital.* *After OC Chairman Suresh Kalmadi sought his ouster from Delhi, calling him an "impediment", Hooper was talking to journalists to give his reaction at the OC office but was stopped from addressing the reporters.* *OC General Secretary Lalit Bhanot asked Hooper not to speak to journalists in the headquarter premises.* *A surprised Hooper asked for a few minutes to answer the questions that he had been asked but Bhanot didn't relent, saying that he was acting on OC's order.* *"I don't know but you can't speak here," was all that Bhanot kept repeating when Hooper sought an explanation. Hooper ultimately had to leave the premises and conducted the press conference at a pavement outside the OC headquarters. * - *Defiant Kalmadi insists Hooper should go<http://ibnlive.in.com/news/defiant-kalmadi-insists-hooper-should-go/103386-5.html?from=tn> * - *Kalmadi's charges unwanted, unfair: Hooper<http://ibnlive.in.com/news/kalmadis-charges-unwanted-unfair-hooper/103388-5-23.html> * - *Kalmadi rejects review panel for Games<http://ibnlive.in.com/news/kalmadi-rejects-review-panel-for-commonwealth-games/103313-5-23.html> * *Series of showdowns* *The showdown between the Commonwealth Games organisers and their international bosses took an acrimonious turn on 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 the Games 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.* *Kalmadi, however, insisted that he will push for Hooper's transfer out of Delhi and will take up the matter with Fennell when they meet in London on October 28 and 29.* *Fennell said Kalmadi's demands were surprising and the OC should focus on Games' preparations instead of seeking removal of officials.* *"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," Fennell 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.*
