Gill, Kalmadi present a united front

Sports Minister M.S. Gill and Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (CGOC) chairman Suresh Kalmadi Tuesday insisted that there are no differences between them and both are striving their best to make the 2010 Games the best.

Both Gill and Kalmadi were present at the meeting of the Group of Ministers’ (GOM) overseeing the work of the Commonwealth Games.

When their attention was drawn to the functions related to the inauguration of some of the Games venues where both were not seen together, Gill and Kalmadi said there were absolutely “no differences” and they were working together.

“We are working to achieve the same goal of hosting the best Commonwealth Games,” said Gill. Kalmadi nodded in agreement.

Gill also said the Commonwealth Shooting Championship will take place as scheduled from Feb 17.

The Delhi High Court Monday refused to stay a lower court order which last month held that the election of National Rifle Association of India’s top office bearers was invalid on the grounds that they had flouted norms by contesting for the posts after completing two consecutive terms.

Following the development, the sports ministry was contemplating to write to Indian Olympic Association to form an ad-hoc committee for shooting to organise the championship, a test event for the October Games.

“The officials are looking at every possibility. Whatever we have to do, we will do to see that the shooting Commowealth Championship takes place,” Gill said.