The four-day national-level Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyaan (rural sports meet) began here on Thursday amidst a lot of shortcomings.
Ballari was the host for three events – football, weightlifting and judo – at the sports event being organised by the district administration, Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports, in association with Karnataka State Sports Authority, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Directorate of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyaan and Sports Authority of India.
It started with a delay in supplying breakfast, that too with only one counter for sportspersons numbering over 1,000. This was followed by a delay in conducting the medical examination of the sportspersons.
“Going by the state of affairs, it is very clear that there has been no proper planning on part of the district administration in organising the mega sports event,” said the team managers.
Sportspersons from 22 States have been participating in the three events. “Though a majority of the teams arrived on the eve of the inaugural day, medical examinations were being carried out now. Even the accommodation was not proper,” said the participants.
The district authorities concerned had not evinced interest in getting the publicity for the major national sports event. Except for distribution of the invitation cards, media persons were kept in dark as to how many States were participating and the number of sportspersons.
Following complaints, Venkatesh, Additional Deputy Commissioner, was seen pulling up officials, especially Raju Bhavihalli, Assistant Director Youth Empowerment and Sports, for the shortcomings and trying his best to get everything streamlined by deputing works to senior officials of other departments.
As a result, the first day went off without any sports event.
