Surajya Nirman Sangh, Belagavi, the organisers of a two-day Mega Kabaddi Competition, have slashed the entry fee for competing teams to 1/5th of the amount announced earlier, after facing flak for not providing any facilities to the teams.
The event has been sponsored by the Suresh Angadi Education Foundation headed by Suresh C. Angadi, MP (BJP), which has given Rs. 2 lakh to the Sangh. Yet, the organisers collected Rs. 2,500 as entry fee from each of the 21 teams registered for the competition. But the organisers have not even bothered to fulfil the basic responsibility of providing food and accommodation to the teams — some of who have come from outside the city. All the teams have been asked to manage on their own.
Stung by a host of questions on the reason for imposing Rs. 2,500 as entry fee and not providing even a cup of tea to the players despite availing Rs. 2 lakh as sponsorship at a press conference here on Friday, organisers Vishal Patil and advocate Sudhir Chavan said they would reduce the entry fee to Rs. 500 per team. They said Rs. 2,000 would be refunded to each of the 21 teams.
Meanwhile, Mr. Angadi arrived and advised the Sangh to provide accommodation and food to the participating teams. The Sangh agreed to at least supply food.
The kabaddi competitions will be held at the Anandwadi playground in the city on October 17 and 18. The total cash prize for the top four places amounts to Rs. 1,01,000, including Rs. 51,000 for the first place.
The competitions will be held today and tomorrow at the Anandwadi playground
The tournament is sponsored by the Suresh Angadi Education Foundation
