The 30 Panchayat Yuva Krida Aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA) volunteers who were deployed at Khelgaon flats for accommodation of participating athletes of 2nd South Asian Federation (SAF) Junior Athletics Championships from November 7 to 13 were devoid of food including meals and snacks, said sources.
According to a PYKKA volunteer, they were literally insulted from this athlete village’s dining room whenever they requested the concerned authorities to offer them food.
“Our team headed by former sports officer Sarwar Imam had to manage the three time meal and snacks on our own expenses. Though we were called here to look after the reception of all the athletes including India, Sri lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Maldives but nothing was done to look after our food arrangement,” said a PYKKA volunteer to The Pioneer on the condition of anonymity on Tuesday night when the international games concluded.
He further added, “Whenever we would go to the dining area and request for food showing our volunteer accreditation, we were told ‘Apne khane ka intzaam khud karo.Yaahan mat aao’ (Manage your food yourself. Do not come here).
On Wednesday when all the teams departed, a volunteer said, “Our head is a retired official and none of the organizing committee staffs, probably from state sports department heard our voice. With no option left, we were asked by Imam Sir to manage our food from outside. Our team left no stone unturned in taking care of the athletes. Since November 7, we were on toes to look after the athletes day and night.” Unfortunately, the sports officials ‘were not reachable’ to comment on the alleged inhumane treatment.
Notably, during sudden visits to this area, The Pioneer observed that these volunteers had to help the players on personal initiatives. For example, a foreign team required Iron for pressing clothes. At that moment, Sarwar decided to manage the Iron from his home. “Informing the government officials in this matter will be of no use. They will do nothing,” he had said.