Gill meets Kalmadi, to talk to Fennell

Taking the first step towards brokering peace between the 2010 Organising Committee and the Commonwealth Games Federation, Sports Minister MS Gill on Monday met OC chairman Suresh Kalmadi to discuss the vexed issues that have hit the capital's preparation for the event.

Taking the first step towards brokering peace between the 2010 Organising Committee and the Commonwealth Games Federation, Sports Minister MS Gill on Monday met OC chairman Suresh Kalmadi to discuss the vexed issues that have hit the capital's preparation for the event.

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Kalmadi came to Gill's residence this morning where the Sports Minister took stock of the progress of preparations and discussed the contentious issues that have the OC and the CGF at loggerheads.

"I met Mr Kalmadi today and had a long discussion on all the matters. I will be talking to (CGF Chief) Mr Mike Fennell on telephone and will have a meeting with him, (CGF CEO Mike) Hooper and Mr Kalmadi in London on October 28," Gill said after the meeting.

"I am confident that all issues will be resolved and everyone will work in unison to ensure a very good Commonwealth Games in Delhi next year," the minister added.

The OC and the CGF seemed to have reached a deadlock over mainly two issues -- the necessity of a Technical Review Panel and Hooper's stay in Delhi.

Fennell, soon after the CGF general assembly earlier this month, made it clear that the organisers needed to pull up their socks and fast-track their preparations if the capital is to deliver on its commitment of putting on the best Commonwealth Games ever.