Mike Hooper’s remarks unkind, undiplomatic, says Sheila Dikshit

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) and the Delhi government were locked in a verbal duel with chief minister Sheila Dikshit slamming CGF chief executive officer Mike Hooper’s reported comment blaming traffic snarls on India’s vast population.

“It is really a very unkind and undiplomatic remark that has been made,” Dikshit told reporters. CGF president Michael Fennell, however, defended Hooper stating that attack on him was “vicious” and “unwarranted” based on entirely false reports.

Hooper had allegedly told a New Zealand TV channel that India’s considerable population was to blame for traffic snarls in Delhi.

“Neither he, nor the CGF, has ever demanded a 24-hour dedicated Games lane. The CGF is seeking to keep lanes dedicated for Games use for a specified period, as per the bid commitment. It is standard practice that, during operational times, Games lanes are exclusively available for Games-related vehicles,” Fennell said.

Fennell said Hooper has been wrongly criticised for comments he made on Television New Zealand that were reported as being critical of the Indian government. “Hooper merely said that the responsibility for delivering and operating the Games lies with authorities in India, as per the host city contract. What I have witnessed is a totally unwarranted attack on Hooper based on entirely false reports.”

“Hooper has my full support. He has always worked tirelessly for the good of the Games. Now it is time for us all to concentrate on delivering a good Games, for the athletes and the people of India,” Fennell added.

Meanwhile, Delhi Development Authority (DDA) came under attack from Dikshit for poor condition of the Games Village. Answering a query regarding the Village, Dikshit said, “We inherited it in a very difficult situation. It is improving by the hour. We are working very hard.”

Dikshit was given the task of getting the Village cleaned after several countries called it unlivable. According to Dikshit, there are some seepages which the builder and the DDA should have looked at earlier.

The Games Village has been developed by real estate giant Emaar-MGF. They have been repeatedly accused of not cooperating with authorities to improve its condition. The Delhi Development Authority, which comes under the urban development ministry, has been condemned for structural problems in the village.

Pillai meets cops
Union home secretary GK Pillai reviewed security preparations for the Games on Monday. The issues discussed included functioning of CCTV cameras, flap barriers and boom barriers, a home ministry statement said. The meeting was attended by representatives of Delhi Police, telecom department and ECIL. The home secretary also met members of the International Security Liaison Group.