Hooper feels heat over 'racist' talk

HOT SEAT: Activists in Delhi burn an effigy of Michael Hooper. APNew Zealand's Sports Minister told the Kiwi in charge of the Commonwealth Games he must take some of the blame for the event's problems as Indians burned his effigy in the street.
Minister Murray McCully said too much finger-pointing at Indian officials had been done, and some blame lay with Commonwealth Games Federation chief executive Michael Hooper.
Protesters from hardline Hindu group Rashtrawadi Sena burned an effigy of Mr Hooper in front of the federation's Delhi offices.
They held signs saying "Shame on Michael Hooper", "Indian people will not tolerate the nonesense (sic) and stupid people like Hooper" and "Hooper insulted our nation. Hooper go back".
It was widely reported in India that Mr Hooper had said Delhi's "population hazard" hampered the games' organisation. But federation president Mike Fennell denied the remark was made.
Mr Hooper has also made headlines this week for his allegedly plush lifestyle, paid for by Indian taxpayers via the games organising committee. Reports say he got income-tax breaks worth $600,000, a rental property costing $36,000 a month, a chauffeured limousine and a six-person staff at his property.
He has been at the centre of a blame game over shoddy conditions at the games village that threatened to derail the event. He has defended the federation, saying it implored Indian officials at every opportunity to be ready for the event.
But Mr McCully said Mr Hooper was partly to blame and the federation had questions to answer.
"So we should be careful about simply asserting that Indian officials carry all the responsibility.
"He's been based there to oversee those arrangements. I certainly think there's going to be a sharing of responsibility, but this is not the time. Let's let them do their jobs and leave the serious questions for afterwards. But they should be asked."
Mr McCully, also Minister of Foreign Affairs, said Indian pride had been hurt by revelations of poor accommodation for athletes, but the damage could be repaired if the games ran smoothly.
"I've got no doubt there were some raw nerves touched, but serious issues of safety and welfare were arising."
He said he was confident about security in New Delhi, but anyone going should check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advisory: "There are always some elements of risk in relation to terrorist activities, but we don't have any specific information that should be drawn to people's attention at this point."