Unfazed by his sacking as CWG OC chief, kalmadi shifts focus to national games in Jharkhand
Unfazed by his sacking as CWG OC chief, kalmadi shifts focus to national games in Jharkhand
|
| Commonwealth Games 2010 mascot Shera (left) with erstwhile CWG Organising Committee chief Suresh Kalmadi |
Suresh Kalmadi is unfazed despite his ouster from post of Commonwealth Games Organising Committee chief, it is learnt. Sports Minister Ajay Maken announced yesterday that Kalmadi and Lalit Bhanot, were sacked from their positions as CWG OC boss and Secretary General respectively.
Maken said the duo were sacked following concerns by the Central Bureau of Investigation that they were hindering the 'impartial investigation' into the allegations of financial irregularities in holding the CWG last year. Jarnail Singh, CEO of the organising committee, would take charge of the OC.
However, it is learnt that Kalmadi, who is also the Indian Olympic Association chief, is not rattled by his ouster as CWG OC boss. In fact, he was expecting it sooner rather than later and has already diverted his attention to his next big job at handu00a0-- the 34th National Games to be held in Ranchi from February 12 to 26.
According to a source, "Kalmadi met officials of the Jharkhand Olympic Association and spoke to them at length about the National Games organised by the Indian Olympic Association.
"Kalmadi is particularly keen to ensure that firstly, the Games that have been postponed on a number of occasions previously, go on as per schedule this time round, and secondly that there are no problems with the venues for these Games, given he has already burnt his hands with issues concerning the CWG venues.
"He took a complete tour of the Mega Sports Complex at Khelgaon here and pointed out to quite a few things that need to be taken care of before the Games begin."
Meanwhile, ironically Kalmadi and Bhanot were in complete sync when asked to react to their ousters yesterday. This, despite Kalmadi's comment during the CWG corruption probe that he "has 2000 people working under me, I don't see all the papers as I have a lot on my hands", suggesting that it was not possible for him to be in sync with everyone in the OC at all times.
Yesterday, Kalmadi told reporters in Ranchi: "I was Organising Committee Chairman during the Commonwealth Games which are now over. I am here (in Ranchi), I don't know what has happened. I can only comment on my removal, once I see an order to that effect."
Later in the evening, Bhanot told MiD DAY that he too had no clue of his removal. "I have no idea (about the sacking). I've heard something to that effect in the news, but I was out of the office the whole day, so I have not received any official intimation from anyone. I cannot comment on this till I see some official documentation," Bhanot said.
