Rejecting his demand to call back its chief executive, the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) president Mike Fennell warned Suresh Kalmadi on Friday that removing Mike Hooper from India “would create severe problems of confidence in the ability of the Organising Committee to deliver the (2010) Games successfully”.

Responding to a letter written by Kalmadi asking for Hooper’s removal, Fennell wrote an e-mailed letter — a copy of which is with The Indian Express — describing Hooper as “an outstanding Chief Executive”, and asked Kalmadi for a meeting on October 28 in London, where a large Indian contingent is going for the ceremonial Queen’s Baton Relay.

Fennell wrote: “I have for acknowledgement your letter of October 14, 2009 sent via e-mail to me concerning the request of the Indian Olympic Association for the CGF to withdraw Mr Michael Hooper, our CEO from his posting in Delhi. We are naturally very surprised and disappointed in receiving this extraordinary request in view of Mr Hooper’s unquestionable commitment to the successful celebration of the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. Mr Hooper is indeed an outstanding Chief Executive and leads the CGF management team very well, he is totally dedicated to the Commonwealth Games Movement and we consider that such a personal attack on him is unwarranted.

“We cannot accede to your request for the removal of Mr Hooper and furthermore this would not solve any of the critical problems we are facing. On the contrary, it would create severe problems of confidence in the ability of the organizing committee to deliver the games successfully. However as we will be meeting in London on October 28 and 29 we can discuss your concerns in more detail and to ensure that our attention is focused on the major issues relating to the organisation of the Games and how best to repair the inadequacies that currently exist.

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