Kalmadi has been known for a more autocratic style of functioning while Randhir Singh, not the one to toe the line, has functioned on his own without throwing his weight around.
The Commonwealth Games organising committee may not exactly be pulling in different directions, but that not everything is hunky-dory has been obvious with the recent turn of events. Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Suresh Kalmadi and secretary-general Randhir Singh have been in those vital positions for a number of years now, but their understanding has not been as good as one would have hoped.
Amid mounting pressure after Commonwealth Games Federation chief Mike Fennell expressed doubts about the IOA's organisational capability for next year's games, the contrast in views of India's two top sports officials has been very obvious. Kalmadi said "the problems will be overcome and we will host a very successful Games", but Singh conceded that much needs to be done and that the committees formed for the Games needs to pull up its socks.
"There are 23 committees looking into the various organisational aspects of the Games, but the chairmen of these committees hardly ever meet," said Singh, who is deputy to organising committee chief Kalmadi for the 2010 edition.
Kalmadi has been known for a more autocratic style of functioning while Randhir Singh, not the one to toe the line, has functioned on his own without throwing his weight around. Officials in the know say there has always been a clash of egos, but it is for the first time that the fissures are out in the open.
"One can't deny that the various committees have not been able to find their bearings yet. The functioning is still erratic and things have not fallen in place like they should have," said one official who did not want to be named.
"To give an example, even putting together the concept note of the opening ceremony has been a struggle. Shyam Benegal is the overall in-charge, with other big names like Javed Akhtar and Prasoon Joshi entrusted with the job. But the general feeling is that things are going slow," said the official.
It is common knowledge that most people in the system are close to Kalmadi, though not necessarily in the know of what is expected of an event like the Commonwealth Games. But do the ego problems mean that India should be ready to cut a sorry figure?
The feeling is that the differences becoming apparent may, in fact, help to settle contentious issues. Officials are hoping that this will bring Kalmadi and Randhir to the table. "They may have had problems with each other in the past, but now that there seems to be more open discussion, things will be sorted out,” appears to be the consensus.
Fennell has sought to apprise prime minister Manmohan Singh of the situation, but in the end, it will be these officials who will have to put aside their mutual problems and set the house in order.
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