By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year

July 31 - Commonwealth Games officials in New Delhi have denied accusations that they have been misusing funds by paying more than $500,000 (£317,000) to a small London-based company.



The TimesNow television channel in India claimed that the committee transferred nearly $585,000 (£373,000) to the AM Films company, which has also been receiving ongoing payments of nearly $32,500 (£20,712) a month.

"I am deeply pained by totally unfounded and baseless allegations by the channel," Suresh Kalmadi, the chairman of the New Delhi Organising Committee.

He added that he would sue it for defamation.

Kalmadi said the committee spent $1.3 million (£828,000) for organising an event in London in October in which Queen Elizabeth launched the Baton Relay for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.

TimesNow claimed the Government in London queried the payments made to AM Films without an official contract with the Commonwealth organising committee.

Kalmadi said the company was paid $238,000 for car rental and other services.

He said the company was used because it was recommended by the Indian High Commission.

Kalmadi claimed he has not received complaints from the British or Indian Government over payments made to the company.

He added that the Committee could not enter into a formal written contract with the London-based company because its services were hired at the last moment.

He also rejected the television channel's claim that the Organising Committee has been paying the company a monthly fee.

Kalmadi said, "I am okay with any judicial inquiry.

"It's the Government's call.

"I have not received any letter from any authority from India or England on the issue."

The allegations have coincided with claims that the Government were investigating allegations of corruption in awarding contracts for the construction of facilities for the Games, including the stadiums.

India's Sports Minister M.S Gill warned "prompt and appropriate" action will be taken if any irregularities related to the mega event in October were brought to the Ministry's notice.

He said: "If anything comes to our notice which needs to be dealt with, then the officers must make sure that they deal with it promptly and appropriately."

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