Commonwealth Games: Activists burn effigy of NZ Games boss

Activists of Rastravadi Sena, or the Nationalist Army, burn an effigy of Chief Executive of the...
Activists of Rastravadi Sena, or the Nationalist Army, burn an effigy of Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation Mike Hooper, in New Delhi, India. Photo by AP.
Indian activists have set light to an effigy of the Commonwealth Games head, New Zealander Mike Hooper, blaming him for troubles that have beset the Delhi Games due to open on Sunday.

Activists from India's Rashtrawadi Sena shouted slogans and set light to the effigy of Hooper during a minor protest in New Delhi on Wednesday.

They bore signs saying "Racist Hooper go back", " Hooper insulted our nation, go back" after they said he made racist remarks - blaming the Indian population for the poor games preparation.

Hooper is the chief executive of Delhi Commonwealth Games 2010 and CWG Federation and Indian media have claimed he has been "living it up royally" despite a messy lead-up to the event, plagued by security issues and concerns over hygiene, corruption and overall mismanagement.

The Times of India reported that Hooper initially stayed in a sprawling farmhouse with a monthly rental of NZ$36,423, paid for by the Organising Committee, until the end of 2008 when he shifted to cheaper accommodation, another farmhouse rented for $NZ13,659 a month.

The newspaper said the Organising Committee had also decided to take on Hooper's income tax liabilities during his stay in India. These had amounted to $NZ607,448 for the 2007-08 and 2008-09 financial years.

Meanwhile, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge will provide a much-needed lift for the troubled Commonwealth Games when he visits the site of the multi-sports gathering on Friday.

The 68-year-old Belgian would be accompanied by wife Anne, Chief of Staff Christophe de Kepper and around 20 other leading IOC officials, deputy chairman of the Games organising committee Randhir Singh told Reuters on Thursday.

"Jacques Rogge has been a great supporter of not only the Delhi Games but also the Indian Olympic Association," IOC member Singh said.

The IOC chief would remain in Delhi for Sunday's opening ceremony before leaving the next day, Singh added.

 

 

 

Add a Comment