Nagpur athletes win West Zone gold despite 13-hour wait at Miraj and early hotel checkout

Two Nagpur athletes won gold medals at the 37th West Zone Championship held in Goa from September 27 to 29. The wins have again raised questions about the facilities given to players. The 'Divisional Mission Lakshyavedh' scheme is being run in Nagpur district with the claim of producing national and international athletes, yet the players had to compete amid a limited budget and a long journey.

High jumper Sanchita Malewar and javelin thrower Manoj Chavan, both medallists at the state-level competition, had been selected for the West Zone Championship. Divisional Deputy Director Mahadev Kasgawade arranged third AC train travel for the two athletes and their coach. The tickets were from Nagpur to Miraj (1,178 km) and then from Miraj to Madgaon (306 km). Miraj is about 1,100 km from Nagpur.

After reaching Miraj on September 25, the athletes and the coach had to wait at the station from 9.30 am to 10.45 pm for the next train. The wait of about 13 hours made the journey more tiring.

The biggest question arose over Sanchita's event. The high jump was at 4 pm on the last day, but the team had to vacate the hotel at around 11 am. That morning Sanchita called the deputy director and asked that they be allowed to stay on in the hotel. The officer replied sternly that they should manage on their own and that it would be looked into later. After checkout, the athletes and the coach took their luggage to the stadium and spent the day there. In the evening Sanchita won gold with a jump of 1.45 metres.

A day earlier, Manoj Chavan had won gold with a javelin throw of 63.06 metres. Despite the lack of facilities and rest, both proved their ability. The athletes credited coach Ishita Roy's guidance for their success. On the matter, the deputy director said, "We had tried for air travel. If the expenditure has been higher, the remaining amount will be provided to them."

The state of equipment was also poor. Until some time ago, Mission Lakshyavedh athletes had not been given equipment. Manoj was training with torn spikes and Sanchita without spikes. After the state championship in Dervan, the department stirred into action and the necessary spikes were provided to the players taking part in the West Zone Championship.

The accounting of expenses is also muddled. The department had sanctioned about Rs 25,000 for the two athletes and one coach. This amount was to cover the hotel, meals, breakfast and travel to and from the stadium, among other costs. According to the team, about Rs 33,000 to Rs 35,000 was spent even after keeping costs to a minimum. It is unclear whether the additional amount will be reimbursed.

According to Dr Sharad Suryawanshi, an international athlete and secretary of the district association, arrangements for Mission Lakshyavedh athletes should be entirely athlete-centred. He said that on long journeys, air travel could be provided instead of the train where needed, to save the athletes' time and energy.

Suryawanshi said adequate rest, AC rooms, nutritious food and easy transport are essential before a competition. Instead of making athletes sit in the stadium for several hours before the event, they should get a chance to rest and prepare mentally in a room. After the competition too, facilities such as adequate rest, hot water and BARC treatment are needed for recovery. He said the government is preparing future high-level and potential Olympic athletes through Mission Lakshyavedh, so they should get facilities and an environment suited to future champions, not ordinary arrangements.