Simply in no mood to oblige the Organising Committee, Commonwealth Games Federation today made it clear that it would neither remove CGF chief executive Mike Hooper nor would backtrack on 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 while also criticising the organisers' "personal attack" on Hooper.
"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," 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. He is totally dedicated to the Commonwealth Games movement and we consider that such a personal attack on him is unwarranted," the miffed CGF president said in a statement.
"Instead of attacking Mr Hooper, I urge the Organising Committee to focus on the issues raised by us in Delhi following our General Assembly on Monday and to commit to working collaboratively with all stakeholders on addressing these matters with urgency," he said.