A video of over 200 U-17 women Kabaddi players being served food kept on the floor of a toilet, right next to men’s urinals, in a stadium in UP’s Saharanpur went viral on social media on Tuesday, triggering massive anger and criticism.
Soon after criticism and reports come into a few mainstream media, the UP government suspended the sports officer Animesh Saxena and ordered an inquiry against him. The contractor, who was given the contract for cooking food and serving it to players, was blacklisted.
The incident drew sharp condemnation from several politicians, including BJP’s Pilibhit MP Varun Gandhi and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal among a host of others. Union sports minister Anurag Thakur said he has directed “strict action” in the matter.
Gandhi wrote on Twitter, Is the success of Indian sportspersons despite the system rather than due to it? This constantly disrespectful behavior is a great shame for our nation.
Varun Gandhi
Kejriwal said, If this is how we treat our sportspersons, how will India win Olympic golds? How will India become number 1 in sports?
CM Arvind Kejriwal
In the viral video, athletes who took part in the sub-junior girls’ Kabaddi tournament at Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Stadium in Saharanpur can be seen getting rice from a big plate that was put on the floor of a toilet.
We are probing the matter and issued notice to all district sports officers regarding the matter. We strongly directed that any type of laxity in providing facilities to players will not be tolerated, said Navneet Sehgal, the additional chief secretary (sports), UP.
Navneet Sehgal
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