National Games volunteers resent non-delivery of track suits & other promised items
Mansi Bhambri | Dehradun
The volunteers selected for the 38th National Games have voiced concerns regarding the non- delivery of essential kits, including track suits and shoes, as previously committed by the authorities. Those present during the tennis match held at the Parade Ground here on Wednesday were particularly vocal, prompting the officials concerned to state that the process of distribution has started and this information has been sent to the managers of the volunteers of each sports venue.
While talking to this correspondent, one of the aggrieved volunteers Ujjwal Kumar said that since the National Games commenced he has been consistently and sincerely providing his services as a volunteer. “As a volunteer, I have observed certain positive facts. The facilities being provided are excellent. Fresh meals are being served at the sports venues. But, sadly, the volunteers’ needs are being ignored. Despite the commitment, we are yet to receive some of the sports kits. During the registration process, volunteers filled out a PDF form which assured them that the authorities would supply sports kits, including track suits and shoes. Unfortunately, till date, no track suits or shoes have been distributed among the volunteers like me,” he rued.
Another volunteer Aditya Rawat echoed the same resentment. “The high-quality facilities being provided by the authorities for the sportspersons at the National Games are worthy of appreciation. Even the volunteers are receiving freshly cooked meals along with other amenities. But I am sad to say that we have not received the promised track suits and shoes. We have only been provided with T-shirts and caps. The authorities must ensure that the rest of the items promised to us reach us in no time,” she said.
Many other volunteers have voiced similar concerns regarding the non-receipt of track suits and shoes promised to them in the registration process.
Told about the volunteers’ grievances, the officials concerned said that they have already started distributing the promised items which they have not received so far. The managers in charge of the volunteers have been informed too, one of the officers said. He, however, hastened to add that five items had been promised for the volunteers: a tracksuit, two t-shirts, a cap, a bag and a water bottle. “The distribution takes time. We distributed t-shirts, caps and bags among them at the start of the National Games. Further, the volunteers’ managers- appointed at different sports venues-have been notified on Wednesday to collect the remaining items, including tracksuits and water bottles, from Maharana Pratap Sports College for distribution among their respective venue volunteers,” he said.
He, however, contradicted the volunteers’ claim that shoes were among the promised items. “This is not true. Shoes were not included in the promised kit,” he observed.
