SAI sleeps as campers go without basic kits

NEW DELHI: Recently, Olympic sports have come to the centrestage in India due to the exploits of some athletes at the Beijing Olympic Games. Finally, sports other than cricket have had a share of the limelight. But their ground reality remains as bad as ever - a story of neglect, official apathy and hopelessness.
This state of affair is highlighted by the way some national level sportspersons are being treated at the camps.It's shocking to know that many of them don't even get the kits they are entitled to from the Sports Authority of India (SAI). All national campers are supposed to get kits within the prescribed budget ceiling of Rs 6000 per camper.
Some of the SAI centres have conducted a number of national camps during 2007-08 but so far sports kits to the campers have not been supplied. Requests to SAI headquarter in the Capital from the regional centres for dispatching the kits have fallen on deaf ears.
Interestingly, while some of the national camps are currently on at Patiala, Bangalore, Gwalior and Bhopal for the Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune, the athletes are still hoping that they would get their kits one day. When told that the athletes haven't yet received their kits, RK Naidu, director (teams), SAI had this to say: "Yes, there are a couple of camps which are currently on for the Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune. But as far the kits are concerned, I think the director (equipments) would be able to explain."
Rachna Govil, director (equipment), could not be contacted despite repeated attempts. At a recent meeting with SAI director-general in June this year, some of the regional directors had expressed dissatisfaction over the delay in getting the sports kits from headquarters. Besides, it was learnt that due to the delay, a fresh rate contract could not be finalised for the last financial year (2007-08). And since the supply was not carried out, the allocated budget.