Suresh Kalmadi, the chairman of the local organising committee, has demanded that Hooper be sacked and claimed that he is hindering progress ahead of the Games, which are due to open in in the Indian capital on October 3, 2010.

 

Fennell has now written to Kalmadi telling him that Hooper retains his full support.

 

Insidethegames has seen a copy of the letter.

 

He said: "I have for acknowledgment 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 organising 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.

 

"It has also come to my attention that your comments about Mr Hooper have been made public and as such I am compelled to make my response public as well.

 

"Please let me know if you will be available to have a discussion on this matter on the morning of October 28 in London."

 

Hooper has thanked Fennell for his support.

 

He said: "This whole episode was all nothing but a knee-jerk reaction by Mr Kalmadi, who felt that the measures we had asked for were in some way a personal affront to him.

 

"That wasn't the case at all.

 

"He reacted by launching a personal attack on me that was completely unnecessary."

 

But Kalmadi is refusing to back down from his demands and has continued to call for Hooper's dismissal and criticising his conduct.

 

He said: "We cannot have him [Hooper] here for sure.

 

"He has been here for two years but has not been as effective and helpful as expected.

 

"In fact, he has been a great hindrance.

 

"He has been shouting at the staff and given no advice on anything.

 

"We cannot concentrate on any work with him around here."

 

 

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