Odisha players forced to travel in train toilets to attend National School Wrestling Championship

At least 18 Odisha athletes, who had participated in the 69th National School Wrestling Championship held in Uttar Pradesh, had to travel in inhumane conditions in train latrines, thanks to the alleged negligence of the State Department of School and Mass Education.

The 18 players, comprising 10 boys and 8 girls, were sent to the national-level competition by the State Department of School & Mass Education. However, with no confirmed ticket, the young players had to go in general compartments, seated near train toilets in this chilling winter cold.

Ironically, the players had to return in the same pathetic condition as no confirmed tickets were arranged for either the onward or return journey. A video of the incident has gone viral, triggering outrage among Odia people. Videos showing the athletes seated near train toilets triggered widespread outrage and condemnation from various quarters. The visuals have raised serious concerns about the safety, dignity, and well-being of young sportspersons representing Odisha at the national level.

It has also been alleged that parents or guardians were not permitted to accompany the athletes during the journey, further intensifying concerns over their security and care.

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Sports enthusiasts, parents, and members of the public have strongly criticised the apparent lack of basic arrangements, questioning How can athletes bring glory to the state and the nation under such circumstances? How can athletes be denied even basic facilities? Why were they forced to sit near the train toilet doors? Who is responsible for such gross negligence towards athletes? How can one expect results without providing basic amenities? Why were proper travel arrangements not made for the athletes? Will action be taken against the officials responsible for this lapse?

Despite the growing outrage, no official response has been issued so far by the Department of School & Mass Education regarding the allegations.

“It was the 69th National Schools Game. We had received a letter, so we took the students. But the manager, Bhanu Rana from Cuttack had not even confirmed the train ticket for the team. Four of us teachers had taken our four teams, comprising 18 students. We had to sleep near the latrines to reach the venue. Irony was that he had to return in a similar pathetic condition even after we requested a Minister there to confirm our tickets,” alleged a teacher.

Likewise, a guardian, Biswajit Mohapatra, said, “We were unaware of the ticket arrangements. It was when we went to drop off our children that we saw that they had no confirmed tickets. They had to go seated near the toilets. Even the coach and manager had to travel in such pathetic conditions. Shockingly, we had to endure the same pain during our return journey in this bone-chilling cold. A few Berhampur passengers showed humanity and helped us to sleep. This deeply affected their game. Imagine, they have to travel in such pathetic conditions for 1200km, and how can we expect better performance from them?”