2010 CWG: Hooper criticized for maintaining lavish lifestyle and poor management
Michael Hooper, the chief executive of Commonwealth Games Federation finally faced the media correspondents in a press conference and denied the claims for maintaining a lavish lifestyle on the Indian tax payers’ money. He also stated his opinion regarding
the mismanagement constantly being observed at the Delhi Games and the incident of his effigy burned by the local spectators last week.
Hooper declined the allegations and claims against him during a media conference where six other top officials of the Commonwealth Games, including Mike Fennel the president of the Commonwealth and Suresh Kalmadi the organizing committee chairman accompanied
him. The fumbling answers, confused statements and hollow promises made by the officials not only provided an entertaining highlight of the Games, it also raised a feeling of pity among the journalist representing the world media. The press conference was
regarded as “unintentionally hilarious stage act” by the media correspondents.
The press conference was started in an entertaining fashion when while checking and tapping the microphone, president Fennel asked about was that working. To his surprise, a wag of media correspondents whispered that perhaps the microphone was the only thing
that was in order and working properly. As the press conference formally began, the journalists bombarded Michael Hooper to have his opinion regarding the last week incident when his effigy was burnt by the angry pyrotechnics for the lavish lifestyle he had
been reported to maintain on Indian tax payers’ money.
Before Mr. Hooper could come up with an answer, the president Fennel jumped in by saying that they would not be addressing or answering the matters like that, to which the reporter remonstrated by asking that couldn’t Michael have spoken for himself. Hooper
Instantly intervened by stating that the matter, in fact, had been disturbing for him, however he had no intention to dwell upon it. He further said that he had already cleared his position by denying the allegation posed against him well on time. He also
referred to the statement of president Fennel which he earlier put out in that regard for the public record.
“There is no truth in the reports about me having a lavish lifestyle over the Indian taxpayers’ money” Mr. Hooper said while concluding the matter. About the incident of his effigy being burnt by the angry crowd, the Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Games,
Michael Hooper said that he was satisfied with the security arrangements made at Delhi and had no potential threat of being attacked by the pyrotechnics.
As the press conference lingered, questions about the reported mismanagement at part of authorities and the issues the players had to face made their ways to the top officials. Among others, the biggest issue which was pointed out by the world media was
about the low level of response from the spectators. Addressing the basic and valid concern, president Fennel admitted that he too had observed that most of the venues were not having enough viewers. He further said that though he could not visit all the venues,
but the few places he visited clearly depicted the said situation. Offering a potential help, some suggestions to increase the crowd at the stadium were offered by the media personnel.
Among other major complaints, one was posed by an Australian journalist who stressed Mr. Kalmadi to apologize for keeping the chef de mission of the country, Steve Monaghetti in the tunnel to wait before the inaugurating ceremony. Mr. Kalmadi not only succumbed
to the demand, he also went on clearing some other matters of the similar nature.
Mr. Kalmadi further said that they had also dealt with the issue of the availability of the tickets as ticket box offices had been installed at all the important venues. He claimed to have completely solved the transport and catering issues which were surfaced
by the athletes.
The press conference ended with a depiction of rather a wishful thinking when the top officials came up with the bold promise of having a straight flow of everything right from the next day.
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