States complain of favouritism at National School Games

It seems authorities conducting the 56th National School Games (NSG) that concluded on Sunday could not get inspiration from the management of the recently completed Commonwealth Games (CWG).

Around 6800 young boys and girls from different states, who came all the way to attend the annual sports festival at the Chhatrasal Stadium, braved acute problems of food and inhospitable accommodation. These basic necessities were vital to survive the current wave of chilly weather in the capital.

The NSG managers maintained that they provided the best facilities and there were no problems. But the partisan conduct of some of the referees belonging to Delhi and unhygienic accommodation didn’t go down well with many.

A Maharashtra judo team member Siddharth More told DNA that referees were cheating. “Referees from Delhi cheated openly and favoured Delhi children. How is it possible that they (Delhi) won over 30 gold medals while other states have won just one or two gold medals,” said the Kolhapur-based judoka.

His teammate, Vaibhav, complained of stinking toilets. “Even though our accommodation was fine, the toilets were stinking,” he said as his teammates nodded in agreement. Complaints of partiality or cleanliness of toilets and rooms from only one state can be dismissed easily but it came from coaches and students of several other states as well.

Parveen Chaudhary, a coach from Uttar Pradesh, said: “It is very discouraging for these students. Should we do the same when Delhi students come to UP? When I protested for my students, one of them threatened me. I have given a written complaint,” he said.

When Satpal Singh, the president of School Games Federation of India, was quizzed he said: “Nobody who won is complaining. I had myself heard of problems but when I checked I found nothing.”

Defending his state’s success, Satpal said: “The main reason behind Delhi’s success is sports camps throughout the year. While other states hold just few days before the Games, we organise camps for nearly eight months in a year and that is why our children are excelling.”