Despite promises, camp ends on sour note

Even Sports Minister M S Gill8217;s intervention didn8217;t help matters as the Olympic-bound boxers and wrestlers ended...

Even Sports Minister M S Gill8217;s intervention didn8217;t help matters as the Olympic-bound boxers and wrestlers ended their stints at the National Institute Sports, having trained amid frequent power cuts and no air-conditioning.

Red-tapism and lack of coordination between the Sports Authority of India SAI and the Punjab State Electricity Board PSEB meant that the minister8217;s instructions, issued after The Indian Express first highlighted the issue, were not carried out. In fact, it is learned that the wrestlers are now not keen on resuming their second stint, scheduled to begin from August 3.

Sources in the sports ministry claimed that the PSEB had failed to ensure uninterrupted power supply to the NIS despite a request made by the DG SAI to the PSEB chairman. However when contacted, state board chief refuted the claim and said he has no knowledge of the issue. 8220;No one has spoken to me on this, and I have no idea about the whole issue,8221; said Ratra.

No replyMeanwhile, SAI doesn8217;t have a satisfactory reply as to why the air conditioners were not installed in the practice halls despite orders from the ministry.

NIS director LS Ranawat claimed that he has written to the CPWD for installing of ACs, and the work would be completed in less than a year. When asked what good would do the Olympic-bound campers, Ranawat had no answer.

Interestingly, The Indian Express found out that there were in fact four working air-conditioners at the NIS, just that they were in the dining hall.

8220;I can8217;t understand the logic behind this,8221; said chief wrestling coach PR Sondhi.

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8220;We are in the dining hall for little time, and sweat profusely in the practice halls. There is something seriously wrong with the policymakers at the NIS.

8220;If they do not accept the orders of the sports minister, who else can come set them right?8221; he questioned.

The Indian Express had earlier reported that the wrestlers and pugilists had to adjust their training sessions according to the power schedule.