After a grueling 18-hour drive from the capital to Dhangadhi to participate in the grand event scheduled to begin from Sunday, quite a number of players from the Central Region are finding it hard to adjust in the sub-standard hotels arranged by the NSC.[break]
NSC Member Secretary Yubaraj Lama had said that he was satisfied with the preparation and management of the Games, but that he was unaware of ground realities.
Lama had said that arrangement has been made for a room with two beds for three players. But players said that seven participants have been made to share a room without any bed.
“How can we sleep in such a place and prepare for the games?” questioned judo player Deepak Krishna Shrestha, before moving to a new place after protesting the NSC´s decision to keep them in such inhumane condition.
However, it was not easy for the players to find a new hotel as almost all hotels have been booked by the NSC.
“We spent the whole day looking for a new place but all of them were booked. They gave us a comparatively better place only after we protested,” said Shrestha, who was initially lodged at Hotel Black Stone.
Tek Raj Bhatta, manager of Hotel Black Stone, told Republica that the NSC booked the hotel for 40 players but later asked them to adjust eight more. “What can we do if they send more players?” he questioned.
Meanwhile, Shrestha, who had won a bronze medal in the 11th South Asian Games, said that the players were in not in the mood of participating in the games after facing such ordeals.
Another judo player Chonu Gurung was among the fortunate ones who found good accommodation. She is sharing a luxurious room with just one roommate, while her other 40 friends have been kept in one big hall.
Soft tennis player Amrit Karki said he was lucky to get a proper room at Hotel Hot Pot. “But some players might have to stay in poor place,” he said.
Minister for Youth and Sports Kamala Roka said that players must be willing to adjust in any situation but that they can seek a solution if they are facing any problems.
Member secretary Lama said he was completely unaware of the pitiable condition the players were in. He has said that he would look into the issue.
Preparations complete for National Games
The organizers have announced that the preparations for the Sixth National Games were complete. Minister for Youth and Sports Kamala Roka made the announcement during a press conference on Saturday.
President Dr Ram Baran Yadav is scheduled to inaugurate the games at 2 pm Sunday at Dhangadhi Stadium.
Despite the NSC´s claim that the preparations were complete, only 500 spectators will be allowed into the newly built parapet with capacity of 3000 people as some construction works are still remaining.
Thirty one games will be held in Dhangadhi and Mahendranagar in the eight-day event. The NSC said 2234 men and 1385 women are competing in the games. “257 players must be deducted from the list,” said Member Secretary Lama, referring to the withdrawal of players of Tribhuvan Army Club.
The organizers also informed that there will be doping tests during the games. “We will test the players if they get extraordinary results or if there is any protest and there will also be random sampling,” said Lama.
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