SHILLONG, Jan 16: The KSU has vehemently denounced the mistreatment of the athletes in the ongoing Meghalaya Games 2024 by the state government.
The KSU sports secretary, Eric Nongkynrih, said in a statement released here on Tuesday that it is unacceptable for the organisers to have neglected to feed the athletes a proper lunch and dinner.
He also questioned whether giving the athletes unhealthy food packets containing chips and samosas was justified.
The athletes’ health is at risk due to improper hygiene, the KSU leader noted with concern.
He went on to say that the state government should make arrangements for the athletes to have access to food, lodging, and transportation if it is truly committed to developing and promoting sports in the state and helping the athletes succeed and bring honours to the state in the various national and international events.
“Athletes will become demoralised if the government continues to arrange sporting events in a very unprofessional manner, and parents may even discourage young athletes from pursuing professional careers in sports,” the KSU stated.
The HITO went a step further and demanded a thorough investigation into the food fiasco. In a letter to Sports Minister Shakliar Warjri, HITO president Donbok Dkhar stated, “We demand that an inquiry be made on the concerned department, authorities and individuals responsible for such mismanagements and failure and that stringent action be taken against those responsible.”
Dkhar stated that they wanted to express their displeasure with the food quality that the athletes competing in the Games were receiving based on what they had seen in the media.
He claimed that the standard of the food served has generated a significant controversy that has severely damaged the reputation of the Sports department.
Dkhar questioned why the concerned department and management could not even supply food for the athletes when the state government had approved over Rs 23 crore for the Games.
“Why were they given only a few snacks, like chips, biscuits, and samosas, instead of foods that are high in nutrients and energy, which are the only foods that are appropriate for athletes?” the HITO president questioned further.
Dkhar wanted to know if the government had taken any appropriate action to guarantee the athletes’ and participants’ safety during the games and that they would receive enough food.
He also slammed the officers and contractors for the poor management of the Games.
