Kalmadi claims CWG OC has CGF chief Fennell's support

Giving out clear signals that the Commonwealth Games organisers are ready to bury the hatchet with their international bosses, OC chairman Suresh Kalmadi today said they have the backing of CGF chief Michael Fennell and all issues with the parent body will be resolved.

Giving out clear signals that the Commonwealth Games organisers are ready to bury the hatchet with their international bosses, OC chairman Suresh Kalmadi on Monday said they have the backing of CGF chief Michael Fennell and all issues with the parent body will be resolved.

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The 2010 CWG and Commonwealth Games Federation top brass have been engaged in a public spat for some time now but two days before he is to meet Fennell to sort out the issues, Kalmadi claimed the OC has the support of the CGF chief.

"Of course, we have had great support of the Commonwealth Games Federation Present Fennell. I am sure all issues will be resolved and the Games will be held in the most conducive atmosphere," Kalmadi told a press conference here ahead of the launch of Queens Baton Relay on Thursday.

Before departing India, Kalmadi had already tone down his earlier tough stand of demanding transfer of CGF Chief Executive Mike Hooper from Delhi as he was of "no use" and "impediment" to the working of the OC, saying he did not want any more confrontation.

Kalmadi assured that the OC and Government of India were leaving no stone unturned to make the Games a mega success.

"We have had unstinted support of Government of India, especially Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Sports Minister MS Gill. Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has been working hard to make Delhi a world class city," he told reporters in the presence of Olympic gold medallist shooter Abhinav Bindra and tennis star Sania Mirza.