The build-up to the Commonwealth Games, the biggest event to be staged in India since the 1982 Asian Games and what many see as a launchpad to a bid for the 2020 Olympics, has been marred by a series of controversies and a public row between organising committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi and Mike Hooper, the chief executive of the CGF.

 

Kalmadi has called Hooper "useless" and "an impediment" to the smooth functioning of the organising committee and demanded his removal.

 

Hooper, however, received the full backing from the CGF with its President Mike Fennell making it clear that he would not be asked to leave India.

 

Kalmadi though has demonstrated that he is prepared to compromise.

 

Before his departure for London for the Queen's Baton Relay, which starts at Buckingham Palace on October 29, he said he did not want any more confrontations and would try to resolve the issues through talks.

 

The other point of contention revolves around the CGF's proposal to form an independent monitoring panel to oversee the preparations for the event, which is due to open on October 3, 2010.

 

Leading executives from the CGF as well as the organising committee will be in London for the Queen's Baton Relay.

 

Gill said: "Whatever has happened is not right and shouldn't have happened.

 

"I am going to London for the Queen's Baton Relay on October 29 and there I will meet Commonwealth Games Federation chief Mike Fennell and Kalmadi.

 

"I will talk to them and try to resolve the matter.

 

"I will listen to both the sides.

 

“Our preparations for the Commonwealth Games are going on at a good pace and would be complete well in time.

 

"I am very confident that we would sort out everything and there is nothing to worry about."

 

 

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