Poor facilities for athletes at Inter-state meet

Poor accommodation facilities provided to the athletes have come under fire as the Tamil Nadu Athletics Association struggles to organise the Open National Championships.

Many teams have been allotted dormitories at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the venue of the meet. But there were no beds, with a notice on the door stating them to call on a number to get the beds at Rs 70 per day.

No bedding

On the eve of the meet, many athletes, including girls, were running from pillar to post to get beds or find alternative arrangements. “There are iron cots and no beds. You come for a meet expecting some good facilities and this is what we get,” said an athlete.

Some of the teams moved out of the stadium, after taking up rooms in nearby hotels but for others, it was all about grinning and bearing it. “We talk about promotion of sport but this is no way to do it,” said an official.