Kalmadi has been forced to set-up a three-member enquiry committee to investigate the Organising Committee's relationship with AM Films, the British company that provided logistic services used during the launch of the Queen's Baton Relay in London last October.

Mike Hooper, the chief executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), has admitted that they are concerned over the allegations and have written to Kalmadi demanding an explanation.

The governing Congress Party, meanwhile, who Kalmadi represents as an MP in Parliament, have pointedly refused to support him.
Hooper said: "Any allegation of corruption is most concerning and we have written to the Organising Committee asking for further clarity particularly on the one that's been getting a lot of publicity like this issue of Queen’s Baton rally in London.

"But the reality is that this is a matter for the appropriate authorities to investigate, and to take appropriate action as they deem fit, and you know clearly that's what should happen."

But Hooper admitted that it was not in their jurisdiction to investigate the allegations.

He said: "Any allegation of corrupt practices must and should be investigated and appropriate action taken by the appropriate authorities.

"The CGF is not the appropriate authority.

"We are concerned about these allegations because generally it has been the tradition of the Games and all these stories going all around.

"We have to now see and these have to be investigated.

"If there are cases to answer then they should go to appropriate authorities should take the action and people held accountable."

Congress have defended  Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy, Sports Minister M.S Gill and Delhi Minister Sheila Dikshit - all members of their party and closely involved in the organisation of the Commonwealth Games - claiming that integrity could not be questioned.

But party spokesman Shakeel Ahmed refused to extend that support to Kalmadi, who last week showed British Prime Minister David Cameron (pictured with Kalmadi far left) the venues for the Commonwealth Games.

Ahmed said: "He is not there [in the Organising Committee] as a Congress representative but as the Indian Olympic Association President."

Adding to the pressure on Kalmadi was that the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) announced today that it has launched a detailed audit into finances of the Games.

It follows claims last week that the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) had had started corruption investigations against Delhi organisers.

Hooper warned that the growing crisis must not be allowed to get in the way of the final preparations for the Games, which are due to open on October 3.

He said: "The CVC report is of concern.

"So many negative reports in the media give a bad name to the Games.

"Earlier, we were worried about security. Now our concern has moved to the safety of the athletes and players who would come here to participate.

"At this stage we cannot play a blame game.

"Now we need to focus on what we need to do - 60-odd days away from the Games.

"The transport work has to be in place, security has to be right.

"Those responsible must finish the work as a matter of urgency.

"With the background of the CVC report, all the regulatory requirement should be met and all necessary documents should be procured.

"The Organising Committee is relying upon venue owners to deliver.

"[The] CGF is not interested in incriminating anyone at this stage."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected].


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