Kalmadi, Hooper controversy should have been averted: Gill

New Delhi, Oct 19(ANI): Union Sports Minister M S Gill on Monday said that the tiff between the Delhi Commonwealth Games Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi and Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) CEO Mike Hooper should have been averted.

"Whatever has happened is not right and shouldn't have happened. I just want to say that on October 29, I am going to London for the Queen's Baton Relay, where I will meet Fennell. Kalmadi and I will talk to them and try to resolve the matter. I will listen to both sides," Gill said.

Kalmadi and Hooper were recently involved in a war of words, where Kalmadi had demanded that the CGF call back Hooper from Delhi, and had described Hooper's two-year stint with the Organising Committee as useless and an impediment.

On the other hand, Hooper had refuted the charges, saying they were "unwanted, unfair and unjust."

Gill further said that despite the controversy both committees will work together to make the 2010 Commonwealth Games a successful one.

"We are confident of holding a successful Games. Fennell has raised some questions about the functioning and management of this organizing committee. Those issues have been addressed and we have made certain changes in the management. We have done the required work," he added. (ANI)