Khelo India Youth Games: Technical officials struggle for basics in ‘brand new’ accommodation

PTI, Jan 31, 2023, 9:49 AM IST

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The absence of basic facilities in a “brand new” hotel, where the table tennis technical officials are being put up, has come to light on day one of the competition in the fifth Khelo India Youth Games, in Indore.

The competition officials were shocked to find out that the hotel they were being accommodated in was inaugurated on the day of their arrival on January 28.

“The company (a leading travel company) who is responsible for booking the hotel for the officials was probably not aware the facility was not yet ready for use. Some of the rooms have no chairs and tables while the others have no mirrors.

“Most of the officials are 50 plus and are having a hard time staying in the hotel. Two female staff decided to stay in competition venue after seeing the state of affairs in the hotel,” a source told PTI on Monday.

Among other logistical issues faced by the event, a few players had complained of not getting their uniform on time.

“A couple of Karnataka players approached the technical officials over the delay in getting playing kits but a system error showed they had already received it. The issue was then sorted out by the officials,” the source added.

A source in the Sports Ministry acknowledged the issues faced by officials and players and said they have been addressed.

“Yes there were some issues with the table tennis players and officials related to hotel. They were put up in a brand new hotel, but some basic facilities like bed side table, cable connection were missing from some rooms as these things were in the process to be set up.

“But everything is in order now after it was brought to the notice of local organisers,” said the source.

Madhya Pradesh is hosting the central government-backed multi-sporting event across nine cities — Bhopal, Gwalior, Ujjain, Jabalpur, Mandla, Balaghat, Khargone (Maheshwar) besides Indore to conduct 27 disciplines.

The table tennis event is taking place at the Abhay Prashal Indoor Stadium in Indore, with 31 players participating in the U-19 category.

Fifteen boys and 16 girls are taking part in the event with Suhana Saini from Haryana and Ankur Bhattacharjee from West Bengal being favourites to win the singles titles.