India finalises Chef de Mission for CW Games

Uncertainty over who would be the Chef de Mission of the Indian contingent for the Commonwealth Games was dispelled on Tuesday with IOA secretary-general, Randhir Singh, saying that Bhubaneswar Kalita of Assam had been chosen for the job, reports Indraneel Das.

Uncertainty over who would be the Chef de Mission of the Indian contingent for the Commonwealth Games was dispelled on Tuesday with Indian Olympic Association (IOA) secretary-general, Randhir Singh, saying that Bhubaneswar Kalita of Assam had been chosen for the job.

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It’s strange that the IOA and the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (OC) kept the name under wraps till the start of the three-day Chef de Missions seminar on Tuesday, with all the officials contacted by HT simply passing the buck.

Finally, Singh revealed that Kalita, an IOA associate vice-president, had been chosen for the job. “We chose him a couple of days back…we’ve finalised the name well in advance of the seminar.” Seventy-one Chef de Missions from all the Commonwealth countries are attending the seminar.

The secretary-general also said that Kalita was the right person to “head us in such a big event”. Singh, however, had a word of caution for Kalita. “Since we are the hosts, he will have the added responsibility of overseeing everything concerning our athletes and officials.”

Fennell happy

CGF chief Mike Fennell, who is here for the seminar, was satisfied with India’s progress and said that the venues would be ready on time. “Even the overlays will be installed in time for the Games,” he said. Fennell also said: “I am pleased that the OC, backed by the Govt of India, has overcome all hurdles.”