IANS

New Delhi, Oct 20: Sports Minister M.S.Gill Tuesday met Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (CGOC) chairman Suresh Kalmadi in his effort to end the standoff between CGOC and the Games' Federation (CGF).

Gill had an hour-long meeting with Kalmadi at his residence in the morning.

"We had a long discussion on all matters," Gill said after the meeting.

"I will be talking to (CGF chief) Mr Michael Fennell on telephone sometime today. I will also have a meeting with Kalmadi, CGF chief executive officer Mike Hooper and Fennell on Oct 29 in London during the Queen's Baton Relay."

Preparations for the Games are already running behind schedule and to make matter worse serious differences cropped up last week between the CGOC and the CGF, with less than a year to go for the mega event.

Kalmadi had asked for Hooper's replacement, a move that Fennell rejected out of hand.

The CGOC has also opposed the CGF setting up an independent review panel to monitor the monthly progress of the preparations, but Fennell said they will go ahead in selecting the members of the high-powered committee.

The national federations are also not welcome to Fennell's insistence on taking more foreign experts.

Gill hoped that all the issues will be resolved.

"I am confident that the issues will be resolved and all stakeholders will work together to ensure a successful 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games," Gill said.