Harsh winter at School Games

Last-minute change of plans

Officials in charge of the accommodation say part of the problem was because the accommodation plans had to be changed at the last minute. “Initially we had arranged for the contingent to stay at a school in Keshavpuram. After they rejected that school,we had to arrange for another on short notice. We agree that the Keshavpuram school should not have been used but it appears that because of a clerical error the Gujarat players were directed to stay there. The squad reached the school only yesterday and since then we are doing our best to make sure that the basic needs can be met,”says an official who asked not to be named.

The official added that they have done their best in the limited time they had to put things together. “We had the premises swept up and the toilets cleaned. For the benefit of the girl students,we have had the toilet used by women teachers also opened up to be used as a bathroom. We have also brought two mobile toilets for the use of the students. While we have not been able to provide a plug point in each room ,we have opened up the school hall which has several plug points,” says the official.

When Sportline visited the school,the toilets — two on each floor of a three story building did look like they had been recently cleaned but it was also apparent that the toilets would have to be regularly attended to,to keep it in working order,if it is to cater to the needs of 450-odd players and officials using them over a week. While a few of the classrooms had the windows re-fitted,the majority of them allowed draughts of cross breeze through. “The fact that there is no glass on many of the windows is a bigger problem but we are getting it fixed. But since there are so many panes broken,it is taking longer than expected. We don’t want the children to suffer so we are doing our best to ensure that other arrangements aren’t lacking,” says an official looking after accommodation.

As for the players themselves,they have no option but to grin and bear it. “Our aim was to come and compete in Delhi and that is what we will do. Things are not great but they could be worse,” says Yuvraj Solanki,a jump-rope contestant.

Games inaugurated

Meanwhile,the Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit inaugurated the seven-day-long event on Wednesday.

Speaking on the occasion,Dikshit said Delhi government would continue to encourage budding players.

“Delhi sportspersons have been earning laurels and recognition at various national and international levels. The country has great expectations from them. We will continue to encourage budding players,” she said.

She said Delhi government has made mandatory for every student studying in schools run by it to take part in one of the sports offered by the schools. “There would be no dearth of money for imparting sports training. The Government would continue to encourage youngsters and budding sports persons by all means,” she said.