Ranchi: The ill-treatment and apathy meted out to around 1,000 deaf and mute participants of the week-long national meet that kicked off on Friday at the Hotwar mega sports complex compelled hundreds of visiting players to resort to blockades on Saturday, exposing the utter unpreparedness of the state that aspires to be a world-class sports destination.
Special athletes from Gujarat, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh blocked the main gate of the sports complex and sat on the road in front of it from 7am to demand basic amenities such as proper food, bed and bedrolls and clean toilets.
The blockade was lifted around four hours later after police intervention.
Officials of Jharkhand Sports Council of the Deaf were conspicuous by their absence. Visitors alleged that even the authorities of Central Coalfields Ltd (CCL), which manages the mega sports complex, remained indifferent.
Fazal Pasha, a coach of Kerala, dubbed the mismanagement as "criminal". "These are poor athletes who can't speak but have come to play and pursue their dreams. This is not how these talented players should be treated."
The games will end on December 6.
Another official from Andhra Pradesh said only four slices of bread were being offered in the breakfast.
"Last night (Friday), several players didn't get food. This morning (Saturday), the toilets were stinking," he said.
Some have already shifted to hotels. Anthony Gomes, father of 20-year-old table tennis player Shiny, said. "I can afford to pay the hotel rooms rent for six days, but there are many who can't."
Sports director Ranendra Kumar said they were planning to take over the meet.
"Our priority is to help the participants. I have pressed our men into service to set things right," he said.
Around 3pm, state sports minister Amar Kumar Bauri visited the mega sports complex to take stock of the situation and promised to set things right.
Another official said the entire fiasco has exposed the poor maintenance of the stadiums by CCL. "On paper, we knew there existed 40 cleaners but now we know there is only one. How can he clean so many toilets?" he said on the condition of anonymity.
Later at forenoon, state sports minister Amar Kumar Bauri visited mega sports complex to take stock of the situation. He also inaugurated badminton event and promised to set things right at the earliest.
Senior official of Jharkhand State Sports Promotion Society and CCL, Alok Kumar, said they weren't directly involved in hosting this meet.
The sporting events that were to supposed to begin on Saturday hadn't started till noon.
The swimming competition couldn't be held in the morning as the central heater to regulate pool temperature conked out.
S.K.Tiwari, an official of Jharkhand Swimming Association, who was called in to conduct the event, said, "I realised the heater wasn't working. So I told them I will only conduct the game when sun is at its peak and after receiving a no-objection in writing not. There isn't any medical provision for the participants," he said.
Moiz Anwar, a key official of Jharkhand Council of Deaf, couldn't be contacted.
On Friday, he told The Telegraph that agencies who were given contracts for beds and tents had failed to deliver them on time.
Senior official of Jharkhand State Sports Promotion Society and CCL, Alok Kumar, said they weren't directly involved in hosting this meet.
"The organisers had requested us to offer the venue for free. We had asked them to bring an undertaking from the government. We didn't know this would happen. It is a matter of shame for everyone," he said.
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