As the Indian contingent departs in batches for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, the country’s top sports institute in Patiala has drawn severe flak from athletes and coaches who have no left no stone unturned in their preparation despite having to live and train in “unacceptable conditions”.
Ace paddler A Sharath Kamal, who has brought laurels to the country by winning three table tennis gold medals at the Commonwealth Games, called the living conditions at the National Institute of Sports “very unhygienic and unacceptable” for any athlete representing India.
“Playing conditions are okay but staying in NIS is a nightmare. I don’t have to be in Patiala for long as I am in Germany for major part of the year but I feel bad for other athletes who live here for a long time,” Kamal said on Wednesday before boarding his flight to Glasgow for the July 23-August 3 Games.
Sharath paints an unpleasant picture of the accommodation and other facilities at NIS, founded in 1961.