GHAZIABAD: Union sports minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday posted a series of tweets saying that mismanagement in the organization of 15th National Para-Athletic Championship in Ghaziabad will be probed. The minister’s sharp reaction followed a TOI report on Sunday about the deplorable living conditions at the buildings the athletes are lodged in.
“Well-being of all athletes is a priority for us. Differently-abled athletes and their well-being is a priority for us,” said Sonowal in a tweet, following it up with another tweet, saying, “Detailed report has been asked on the organization of the National Para-Athletic Games from Paralympic Committee of India.”
The sports ministry issued a statement later on expressing shock over the “gross apathy and negligence shown by the organizers of the Para-Athletic Championship”.
“The sports ministry is looking into the incident and, if required, will not hesitate in issuing a comprehensive advisory stipulating minimum standards that need to be maintained in terms of boarding, lodging and other facilities for athletes participating in a national championships so that such incidents do not repeat,” said the statement.
Well-being of all athletes is a priority for us. Differently-abled athletes and their well-being is a priority for us. (1/n) @PIB_India
— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) March 22, 2015
We are examining the matter and looking into the reasons for mismanagement of the event. (2/n) @PIB_India
— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) March 22, 2015
Detailed report has been asked on the organisation of the National Para-Athletic Games from Paralympic Committee of India (3/n) @PIB_India
— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) March 22, 2015
There will be no discrimination for differently abled athletes. All the athletes including differently abled are equal and important for us.
— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) March 22, 2015
Secretary Sports, Gov of India has been asked to submit a report in the next 24 hours. Strict punishment to those who are guilty. @PIB_India
— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) March 22, 2015
Athletes at the event meanwhile continued to languish for lack of basic facilities, as the three-day event drew to a close on Sunday.
With drinking water still remaining unavailable to them, athletes were forced to purchase packaged water at inflated rates from dingy shops set up overnight in front of the venue. And with supply of meals at the sole food counter remaining erratic, athletes also had to purchase fruits from local vendors at exorbitant rates.
“Organizers who arrived at the venue on Sunday morning shouted at participants for having publicly made adverse remarks on the state of preparedness for the event. Even today, there was no water for us till around 8 am. We were herded into a bus and dropped at Ghaziabad railway station after the event drew to a close, from where we travelled to Old Delhi Railway Station,” said Mahesh Nehra, a contestant at the games.
