Reacting to Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) president Michael Fennell's harsh criticism of Delhi's lethargic preparation for next year's Games, Sports Minister M S Gill summoned Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi to assess the gravity of the situation.
According to sources both Suresh Kalmadi and Indian Olympic Association secretary general Randhir Singh met the minister, who is also set to meet Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit later on Tuesday to discuss the issue.
"Fennell's letter to the Organising Committee members has been forwarded to the Sports Secretary who studied it and briefed the minister. The minister is himself in touch with the highest echelon in the government, as he normally does in such matters," the source said.
Fennell was miffed with the pace of Delhi's preparation for the October 3-14 multi-discipline event and fears it is heading for "partial failure" unless the organisers pull up their socks and get some experienced foreign experts on board.
The CGF chief was so angry that he asked Kalmadi to fix a meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh so that Fennell could explain him the seriousness of the issue. Clearly embarrassed after Fennell's strong mail found its way to the media, both Kalmadi and Dikshit have sought to dispel the fears and assured every thing would be put in place well before the Games.
