Para-Athletes Face Official Apathy, Ministry Seeks Report

No proper food, no ramps to move around and lack of basic felicitates shock the para-athletes at the National Para-Games.

In a shocking case of official apathy, differently-abled sportspersons participating in the National Para-Athletics Championships were put up at unfurnished accommodations with dirty toilets and unstable ramps, prompting the Sports Ministry to seek a report from the organisers.

Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said, “Well-being of all athletes is a priority for us. Differently-abled athletes and their well-being is a priority for us. Detailed report has been asked on the organisation of the National Para-Athletic Games from Paralympic Committee of India.”

“I have asked my sports secretary to take immediate action and submit a report within 24 hours and based on that I will take action,” he added.

The para athletes participating in the National Para-Athletics Championships had to face trouble after they were alloted unhygienic and difficult living conditions. “We have not got proper food, we have been eating poori and one vegetable dish for the last four days. We walk with sticks and still we have been put up at second floor. They don’t even have ramps for wheelchair-bound athletes. The toilets are dirt, there are no fans and there is no water,” said Yogesh, a participating athlete.

“I fell three times while taking bath today, we are drinking water from a tanker and it has not been cleaned and the toilets are filthy,” added Vinay, another participant. Video footages showed the athletes crawling up staircases, sleeping on the floor in cramped rooms and unhygienic food being served to them.

A defiant PCI President Rajesh Tomar said a panel has been formed to file a report on the matter. “The PCI governs 70 federations and it is the Paralympic Federation of India’s job to conduct the National Championships. They are in touch with the local organisers and our job is to oversee it. We have constituted a four-member committee, including an athlete, and they will file a report on this and stern action will be taken if needed,” he said.