'Don't go public with your grievances'

It’s reliably learnt that the top Government of India official met the coaches at the Islamic Cultural Centre here on Monday afternoon and discussed various matters including their concerns over the training facilities, residential blocks in the Games Village and transportation of athletes from the Village to the competition venues.

However, the meeting was officially labelled as a ‘pep talk’ to the coaches ahead of the CWG, beginning on October 3. “It was meant to be a talk to encourage the coaches ahead of the CWG, sort of a pep talk. But yes, there were discussions about various issues regarding many aspects of the Games,” an official told Deccan Herald.

The Cabinet Secretary also requested the coaches to not make public any grievances they might have about the facilities. National shooting coach Prof Sunny Thomas had expressed his displeasure on Sunday over the below-par travel arrangements of the shooters from the Indira Gandhi International Airport to the Village. The Indian marksmen had to wait nearly six hours to get accommodation.

Boxer Akhil Kumar too went public a few days back with his complaint about a collapsed bed in his flat at the Village.

“If you have any complaints about the facilities or arrangements, you can come directly to me. Let’s stay away from making the complaints public. I assure you that your concerns will be met with all seriousness,” he is learnt to have said.