In another blight on the already under-fire Meghalaya Games 2022, several runners in the athletics events did not receive their medals as the organisers had apparently run out.
One U-16 East Khasi Hills runner, who was part of the girls’ 4x100m relay team, has been left distraught at this. What makes it worse is that she and some of her team mates could not participate in the march-past at the opening ceremony on Tuesday because there were not enough Meghalaya Games tracksuits for them.
“The organisation was a complete flop,” this particular girl’s aunt told Highland Post. “They didn’t give them medals, no certificates either and they did not get a chance to stand on the podium. They gave the relay team nothing. Literally nothing.”
So much effort had been put in by the runners, and their parents, in getting this far, including waking up at 5:30am for training, giving more time to athletics than their studies – all for the Meghalaya Games, which as let them down.
“How can they do this to the young athletes? It’s so depressing,” the girl’s aunt ended.
An MSOA official, who wished to remain anonymous, said it is ironic that athletics ran out of medals as the Meghalaya Athletics Association is headed by Finely Pariat, who is also the General Secretary of the Meghalaya State Olympic Association.
Pariat on the other hand said medals were available but was too late to conduct the medal ceremony.
This fourth edition of the Games has had more than its fair share of issues. It began with appalling accommodation, which threatened a revolt by parents until the Chief Minister personally intervened.
Food has also been a failing, which this reporter can attest to. Vegetables served on Thursday smelled off. Yesterday, meanwhile, was a big occasion as it was the conclusion of the Games but the vegetarian option, for example was tough to swallow as all it consisted of was rice, fried potatoes, a slice of cucumber and a chilli – no dal or curry of any sort.
The CM says an inquiry will be conducted. If conducted thoroughly there could be all sorts of other skeletons to fall out of the cupboard.
