Don't focus on individuals, focus on issues: Hooper

Commonwealth Games Federation CEO Mike Hooper has termed the controversy over preparations as "unfortunate" and said focus should be on delivering "great Games" next year.

"I think it's an unfortunate incident. Let's put it behind and focus on delivering great Games next year," he told reporters on the sidelines of Queen' Baton Relay Launch on Thursday.

The 2010 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee had demanded that CGF "repatriate" Hooper and OC chairman Suresh Kalmadi had described him as an "impediment" to the preparations of the Delhi event.

"Let's look forward. I do not have any animosity towards Kalmadi or Organising Committee or anybody. We all want the same things — the great Games. His heart is in right place, my heart is in right place," Hooper said.

"We must commit to working together and focus on whatever the issues are. We have 11 months to do and that's what we should focusing on, not individuals," he said.

Asked about the delay in preparations, the CEO said he was not going to pick out any particular things. "I'm not going to pick out any particular things. Your own CAG has commented on the venues. Me and Fennell toured around the venues back in July when that report came out and I said, let's acknowledge your construction is behind. It's not

a secret," Hooper said, adding, he was not going to give a monthly or weekly report.

"The practical completion of majority of the venues in the city is in December, while deadline of Cycling, Swimming and Rugby is in March 31. So we will comment in January and April," he said.

Hooper said India has the capability to catch up, as it is committed to do so through its agencies.

"We have got the commitments from the Minister. Monday we will go to the general assembly. Whatever needs to be done India will do to have great Games," he said.

"We are going to do whatever is required to focus on the issues. Obviously there is lot of focus on operational delivery and that's where we will be working with Kalmadi and his team to go forward to the next level," he said.