SHILLONG, JAN 16: The Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organization (HITO) on Tuesday demanded inquiry and action against those responsible for the alleged mismanagement of the 5th Meghalaya Games.
In a letter to Minister in-charge of Sports and Youth Affairs Shakliar Warjri, HITO president Donbok Dkhar said, “We demand that an inquiry be made on the concerned department, authorities and individuals responsible for such mismanagements and failure and that stringent action be taken against them.”
He said that the quality of food provided to the athletes has sparked a great controversy which has put the sports department of the government in an awful light.
Dkhar also asked why athletes were provided only a few snacks such as samosas, chips, biscuits etc and not nutritional and energy rich food.
“The government has sanctioned over Rs 23 crores for the Games, and yet the concerned department and management could not even provide food for the athletes, why is that so? Who is responsible for the management of the games? Who is responsible for organizing the meals of the athletes and participants? Which person/persons are responsible for such mismanagements? Has not the government taken any proper steps or any plans to ensure the well-being of the participants and athletes in the games and that they are well taken care of in terms of meals provided to them?” he asked.
He also demanded the names of officers, government employees, contractors who are responsible for the management of the games.
This came after a photograph of the food packets provided to athletes had gone viral in various social media platforms.
The Meghalaya Games, held for the first time at Tura, was inaugurated by the President of India Droupadi Murmu on January 15.