TNI Bureau: The Odisha government has ordered an inquiry into alleged lapses in travel arrangements for school-level wrestlers from the state who were forced to endure unsafe and undignified conditions while travelling to Uttar Pradesh for a national-level competition.
At least 18 wrestlers from Odisha, selected to participate in the 69th National School Wrestling Championship, reportedly faced severe hardship due to the absence of confirmed train tickets. A video showing the young athletes sitting on the floor near a train toilet, cramped into a narrow passageway with their luggage, went viral and triggered widespread public outrage.
Officials of the School and Mass Education Department said that only four of the 18 players had confirmed tickets for the onward journey, while the remaining athletes travelled in general compartments amid overcrowding, cold weather and unhygienic conditions. The contingent comprised 10 boys and eight girls, accompanied by four teachers.
The team left Bhubaneswar on December 5 for Ballia in Uttar Pradesh to take part in the championship held from December 8 to 12 and returned on December 14. Parents alleged that although some confirmed tickets were arranged for the onward journey, no such arrangements were made for the return trip. As a result, the players and accompanying teachers were allegedly forced to spend hours sitting near train toilets while travelling back, including during the journey towards Hinjili in Ganjam district.
Officials of the Odisha Sports Authority termed the incident as mismanagement and acknowledged serious lapses in planning and coordination. Following the controversy, the School and Mass Education Department has sought an explanation from the Director of Secondary Education on how the situation arose.
Responding to the incident, School and Mass Education Minister Nityanand Gond said the state government would examine the facts thoroughly. “The truth of the matter will be looked into, and appropriate action will be taken after the inquiry is completed,” he said.
The department has also indicated that it will take up the issue with railway authorities and put in place measures to ensure confirmed tickets and dignified travel conditions for students representing Odisha in national-level competitions in the future.
