Ranchi: Match Friday may have been flawless in Jamshedpur, which is hosting its maiden Indian Super League (ISL) and has a debutant home team in the fray, but a national meet that commenced in the capital for the deaf and mute is high on mismanagement, higher on ill-treatment and highest on shame for a state that is promoting itself as a world-class sports destination.
Some of the 800-plus athletes - participating in the week-long National Games of the Deaf at the mega sports complex in Hotwar - are feeling so humiliated and disillusioned that they have promised themselves never to return to such an "unwelcome state".
Champa Chakraborty of Siliguri whose 17-year-old son Dilip is representing Bengal in table tennis was in tears as she spoke to this correspondent.
"Only rice and dal has been served since last (Thursday) night. The food is also half-cooked. There are no beds or bedrolls where players can sleep in this cold weather. Toilets have no water or are unusable," Chakraborty said, adding that there was no facilitator who could answer queries. "Why such step-motherly attitude towards special athletes?"
The games, being sponsored by the All India Sports Council of the Deaf, which is recognised by the Union ministry of sports and youth affairs, will end on December 6. The children are aged between seven and 17 years, and are participating in various disciplines such as athletics, football, badminton and table tennis.
A coach of Madhya Pradesh said he had vowed never to come to Jharkhand, particularly Ranchi, for any games.
"Our contingent has around 60 kids of different age groups. We arrived last (Thursday) night, but there was no one to receive us at the station. After we managed to reach Hotwar, there was no one to escort us to proper rooms. We slept without food and bed," he said.
According to the coach, Friday morning went by without any breakfast on the table or water in the bathrooms to freshen up. "You shall feel sick if you see the condition of the toilets," he said, adding that several attempts to contact the organisers went in vain. "Nobody seems to know who is in charge!"
Another MP official, Shailendra, said lunch was served at 2pm and was of terrible quality. "Even dogs won't eat such food. The cook claimed he didn't get the ration on time or in sufficient quantity," he added.
President of Jharkhand Sports Council of the Deaf Moiz Anwar insisted that all arrangements were made, but suppliers goofed up. "We have ordered for beds and blankets, among other things. Gaps (in management) will be plugged soon," he said.
"Our contingent has around 60 kids of different age groups. We arrived last (Thursday) night, but there was no one to receive us at the station. After we managed to reach Hotwar, there was no one to escort us to proper rooms. We slept without food and bed," he said.
According to the coach, Friday morning went by without any breakfast on the table or water in the bathrooms to freshen up. "You shall feel sick if you see the condition of the toilets," he said, adding that several attempts to contact the organisers went in vain. "Nobody seems to know who is in charge!"
Another MP official, Shailendra, said lunch was served at 2pm and was of terrible quality. "Even dogs won't eat such food. The cook claimed he didn't get the ration on time or in sufficient quantity," he added.
President of Jharkhand Sports Council of the Deaf Moiz Anwar insisted that all arrangements were made, but suppliers goofed up. "We have ordered for beds and blankets, among other things. Gaps (in management) will be plugged soon," he said.
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