Bhubaneswar: In a shocking incident, 16 young athletes from Odisha were reportedly forced to travel in inhumane conditions to participate in the National School Wrestling Championship in Uttar Pradesh.
As per information, the contingent comprising ten boys and eight girls had to travel near the washrooms of a general coach of a train in winter chill as they were not given confirmed tickets.
Sources said the students were sent to the national-level competition by the department of School & Mass Education of the state. However, without confirmed ticket, the young players had to go in general compartments, seated near train toilets in biting cold.
Adding to their woes, the players had to return in the same pathetic condition as no confirmed tickets were arranged for their onward or return journey.
The incident has triggered widespread outrage in Odisha after a video of the scene went viral. Visuals showing the athletes seated near train toilets drew condemnation from different quarters. The visuals also raised serious concerns about the safety, dignity, and well-being of young sportspersons representing Odisha at the national level.
