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Indian gold medallist ignored by authorities
It was a day of humiliation for Asian Games gold-medallist Sudha Singh here on Saturday. Upset with the behavior of sports authorities, she walked out of the event where she was the chief guest. Rahul Singh Kushwah reports.
It was a day of humiliation for Asian Games gold-medallist Sudha Singh here on Saturday. Upset with the behavior of sports authorities, she walked out of the event where she was the chief guest.
Asian Games 3000m-steeplechase gold-medallist Sudha was invited for the mini-marathon organized by the Mahavir Prasad Girls College, but there was no one to receive her when she reached the Northern Railway Stadium - venue for the event - at 7 am. She waited for almost an hour for sports minister Ayodhya Prasad Pal to arrive with other athletes. At 8 am, the minister came and the organizers rushed to receive him, ignoring Sudha. "When I reached the stadium, nobody noticed me. I wasn't even offered a glass of water or a chair. I was made to sit in the rear rows," she told HT. "I was treated like a district level athlete. I wanted to meet the minister, but he did not give me time.
"I will never attend any programme as a chief guest in my state," said a fuming Sudha before leaving the stadium. "Sonia Gandhi honored me and my family, but my own people have hurt me today," she said.
Director (sports), Hari Om said, "I have no idea Sudha was here. I don't think anyone had any intention to insult her."
