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.
{{/usCountry}}"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.
{{/usCountry}}Director (sports), Hari Om said, "I have no idea Sudha was here. I don't think anyone had any intention to insult her."