Para-athletes face accommodation problems at national championship

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, March 25

Participants at the 18th National Para-Athletics Championship are unhappy with the preparations, especially the accommodation provided to them, at Tau Devi Lal Stadium.

The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) is organising the event and this is not for the first the participants have expressed unhappiness over the preparations.

“We are facing problems at every step. There are no disabled-friendly washrooms and, moreover, the accommodation is not up to mark. Majority of the players were asked to sit on the floor,” said Suvarna Raj, one of the participants. She added that it seemed that the organisers were not prepared for the 1400-odd participants that turned up. “The shortcomings in arrangements clearly show that the organisers were not prepared to handle the situation,” she added. 

Another athlete, Brijpal, said: “The accommodation is a major issue. There are para-athletes of various classifications participating and as per the classification, accommodation should be provided.” He added, “The authorities should have kept things in place or should have visited the venue before keeping the teams here.”

The athletes also took their complaint to Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, who was present at the opening ceremony. “I was not aware about the problems. My staff will surely look into it,” said Khattar, while talking to the media at the venue.

A visit to the complex revealed that the building is not disabled-friendly. The doors to the washrooms were not wide enough for a wheelchair. Also the bedding provided on the floor was not up to the mark.

Meanwhile, the organisers said all the issues were sorted out. “There was some initial problem but it was sorted out in no time. The problem occurred due to the classification of the players when they arrived. Once the process was over, the athletes were provided the needed accommodation and food,” said Surinder, hospitality coordinator. “There were only a few athletes who complained about the washrooms. We have shifted them to another place. We have made the arrangements here so that the athletes don’t have to travel. Also, it’s easy for them to rest and come back to participate in the event,” added Surinder.

Girraj Singh, member of the organising committee, was unavailable for comments. The officiating District Sports Officer, Naseem Ahmad, said that there were no shortcomings.

“The complex was inaugurated last month and the building is disabled-friendly. The war between the members of the PCI is not new and these allegations are the result of that. We have extra bedding to adjust over 290 players. The team managers were aware about the complex and few athletes are accommodated outside according to their classification,” said Ahmad.