Ask Games questions later, says McCully

Sports Minister Murray McCully. Photo / supplied.

Sports Minister Murray McCully says it is unfortunate and regrettable that the backlash against Commonwealth Games Federation chief executive Michael Hooper has gone as far as burning effigies, but the federation has to accept some of the responsibility for the Games preparations not being up to scratch.

Mr Hooper, a New Zealander, has copped plenty of flak in India, including having an effigy of him burned in public after allegedly blaming Indian officials for the shambolic preparation that led to fears last week that teams may pull out of the Games because of unhygienic conditions in the athletes' village. Many of the issues have since been resolved and the Games are due to start on Sunday.

It was reported in India that Mr Hooper had said New Delhi's "population hazard" hampered the organisation of the Games, but Mr Hooper and federation president Mike Fennell have denied the remark was made.

Mr McCully said today the effigy burning personalised the issue and was "extremely unfortunate" and regrettable.

"The Commonwealth Games Association and its senior officers clearly need to answer some questions at the right time. This is not the right time, and personalising it and burning effigies just doesn't help," he told NZPA.

However, while further analysis was needed, it was clear that there was a shared responsibility for the problems.

"It's not rocket science to work out that if Commonwealth Games Association has had its chief executive based (in Delhi) for some years to oversee the preparations, and the preparations are not up to scratch, then they can't wash their hands of any responsibility. They clearly have a shared responsibility with the hosts."

Progress had been made under trying circumstances in getting the Commonwealth Games village up to scratch, and that needed to remain the focus before questions were asked as to what went wrong, Mr McCully said.

"We don't know the final result yet, but I gather there has been good progress so far."

Two New Zealanders, cyclist Greg Henderson and tennis doubles player Ellen Barry, have pulled out of their Games team.

Mr McCully said the prime focus as far as New Zealand was concerned was to ensure the safety and welfare of its people in New Delhi.

"Let's focus at the moment on getting all of our people to the games on the best terms to compete successfully."

There was a continued focus on security and updates would be posted on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade's safetravel website, Mr McCully said.

He said teams and officials were in the so-called "security bubble", which appeared to be formidable, but questions remained for others moving around Delhi.

"All the Government can do is make sure we give people the best information we are able to obtain."

Mr Hooper was appointed chief executive of the federation in late 2000 after nine years as the New Zealand Olympic Committee secretary-general.

He has lived in New Delhi for four years and it was recently reported that he lives in a farmhouse with six servants.