The Commonwealth in action

Mike Hooper is the Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF). Basically, that means he is responsible for the overall administration of this massive sporting event.

With the clock ticking away and the Commonwealth Games a mere seven weeks away, Hooper is still sporting a smile and his sense of humour still going strong as he accompanied the penultimate leg of the Queen's Baton Relay which was held in Malta and Gozo earlier this week.

Our conversation kicked off with an analogy between the Olympic and Commonwealth Games. The latter are the world's second biggest event in the sporting calendar, serving as a platform for athletes from all the corners of the globe. It may not be an event as massive as the Olympics but with over 5,000 athletes, measures are being taken to ensure that the Commonwealth Games do not become too big to handle from an administrative point of view.

While both events are held every four years, the disciplines included in the Commonwealth Games reflect the constituency and the diversity of the 72 odd countries or regions that are eligible to participate in these Games. Team events such as rugby and netball have proved to be a huge success and the CGF is always assessing what changes need to be introduced at the Games to reflect the ever-changing scenario.

The CGF does not simply introduce a discipline to the Games. Take cricket for example. The one-day test at the Games had the potential to be an instant hit. Yet, the international federation failed to give its blessing and as a result the idea was shelved.

Other disciplines such as waterpolo may not be part of the Games. However, Commonwealth Championships are organised to enable countries to compete against each other. Malta was very much involved in these Championships, missing out on the bronze medal in extra time.

So are the Commonwealth Games a threat to the Olympic Games? I honestly thought that Hooper would fall out of his chair when I uttered my question. His reaction came in the form of a determined no, followed by a complimentary shake of the head.

Small regions and territories may have the opportunity of competing as separate entities at the Commonwealth Games, a feat which is not possible at the Olympics.

Actually he believes that the Commonwealth and the Olympic Games could engage in a symbiotic relationship by sharing the transfer of knowledge and ideas.

While Manchester is busy engaging in the cosmetic perfection before thousands of athletes, officials and supporters alike flock to the city, the sporting world has its eyes set on the World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea.

Did the World Cup finals jeopardise the promotion campaign of the Commonwealth Games? Well, apparently not as tickets to major events have been sold out for weeks and coverage is still going strong.

However, Hooper did insist that all members of the Commonwealth have a part to play in the external marketing strategy of the event. It is up to the individual countries and territories to generate awareness on the forthcoming event.

Some cynics have tried to belittle the event by calling the Commonwealth Games a second-string festival. Well, statistics show otherwise, with the majority of athletes who won a medal in sprint events at the Sydney Olympic Games hailing from Commonwealth countries to name just one example. In fact, small countries like Malta have always experienced a tough time at such Games as some of the world's top athletes are in the hunt for medals.

The time was now ripe for me to put forward the sensitive question of whether the Commonwealth Games should find themselves entangled in the political wrangle involving certain countries such as Zimbabwe. With political tension fuelling between neighbours Pakistan and India, could the CGF run the risk of having one or both nations boycotting the games?

The forthcoming answer echoed the true spirit of Olympism. Hooper stressed that all members of the Commonwealth are eligible to take part and have the right to be in Manchester. While Nigeria missed the 1998 edition because it was suspended from the Commonwealth, Zimbabwe was only suspended from the Councils and hence can still send its athletes to the Games.

As for India and Pakistan, the CGF Chief Executive would only say that it would be a great disappointment if one or both countries had to shun the event. He also contended that through sport, anything is possible and that such events can help to bring nations together and therefore foster peace and dialogue.

So what's the future for the Commonwealth Games? Will the event thrive over the coming years or will it experience a natural death as more generations feel less of a bond to the Commonwealth and all that it stands for?

Hooper was adamant in his reply. As the Commonwealth Games reflect the sporting needs of the respective regions and territories, chances are that it will go from strength to strength and that sport will prevail. The Commonwealth Games are after all the 'single biggest public manifestation of the Commonwealth in action' as Hooper concluded with a diplomatic smile.

Olympic Academy Publication

The Malta Olympic Academy within the Malta Olympic Committee has recently published an educational book incorporating all national federations and associations in Malta.

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The publication traces the origins and objectives of the Malta Olympic Committee and the national federations. It also carries an extensive dossier on local athletes' performances at the Games of the Small States of Europe.

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