• Source:JND

In a shameful incident, a young contingent of wrestlers, consisting of 10 boys and eight girls, was allegedly forced to travel near toilets during their train travel from Odisha to Uttar Pradesh to compete in the 69th National School Wrestling Championship. As per a report from India Today, the contingent was sent to the tournament without 'confirmed' railway tickets.

Notably, all 18 wrestlers had to travel amid severe winter cold with a compromise over their safety, health, and dignity. The report stated that 'unconfirmed' tickets were a lapse on the part of the administration by the State Department of School and Mass Education.

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The wrestlers had to face the same ordeal on their return journey as well, as there were no confirmed tickets arranged this time. There are several videos that have gone viral on social media, where athletes were spotted near train toilets. Check out the video here:

Odisha State Karate Association, Hari Prasad Pattanayak, called it an unfortunate incident

"... It is definitely an unfortunate incident... The system needs to be improved... Getting train tickets in India is very difficult... We have to think more broadly...," Pattanayak said.

Sports fans, parents, and community members have clamped down heavily on the authorities, questioning why young athletes representing the state on a national level were not provided even fundamental travel arrangements. 

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Additionally, it has been claimed that parents or guardians were not allowed to travel with the athletes, heightening worries about their safety and well-being.


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