Now is not the right time to point fingers over the poor standard of accommodation provided to certain athletes at the Meghalaya Games, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said today.
The Chief Minister tweeted about the issue and paid a surprise visit to the JN Sports Complex here last night to assess the situation for himself. Most of the affected athletes were then shifted to other accommodation.
Avoiding any blame game, Sangma today acknowledged that the poor accommodation for the Meghalaya Games could have been avoided but that it is a lesson learned.
“Everything was not perfect and we could have minimized the difficulties that they faced but I guess that’s how things happen. I’m sure that the Meghalaya State Olympic Association as well as the Department (Sports and Youth Affairs) will learn from this. It was absolutely avoidable and we can make it better,” Sangma said.
The CM thanked the MSOA and others and even the sportspersons who were present. “Now let the games begin and I think that’s really what is important now,” he added.
On the new arrangements for athletes, Sangma said that he is in touch with “quite a number” of the players. “They thanked me for the steps taken and I told them that it wasn’t me, it was the MSOA that realised the challenge and they made [alternative] arrangements.”
According to the organisers, the toilet was not meant to be used and was locked but was somehow opened and the photos of the terrible conditions within were shared through social media. The Chief Minister said that even if that is the case, he would rather not make excuses now.
