Question : UNHYGIENIC CONDITION OF NATIONAL SPORTS INSTITUTES

(a) whether a number of complaints have been received from athletes and coaches regarding unhygienic living condition at the Netaji Subhash National Institute of Sports (NIS), Patiala while undergoing training for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;

(c) the corrective steps taken/proposed to be taken to ensure hygienic living condition and provide healthy environment to the athletes competing in International events at all the National Level Sports Institutes in the country including NIS; and

(d) the monitoring mechanism placed/being placed for the purpose?

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR SKILL DEVELOPMENT, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)

(a) & (b): No, Madam. No such complaints have been received by the Government or Sports Authority of India (SAI). The National Coaches along with the SAI staff at NIS Patiala are regularly monitoring the hygiene/ cleanliness of living conditions and the diet being provided to the National level athletes. There are no regular complaints regarding unhygienic conditions. However, there was a newspaper report quoting one athlete regarding unhygienic living conditions and sharing of common bathrooms / toilets.

(c) Senior Officers from the Sports Ministry and SAI are frequently visiting the various training centres where the Indian Athletes are undergoing training to ensure that hygienic living condition, healthy environment and all requisite facilities are being provided to the Athletes preparing for International Competitions.

The work of attached toilets and bathrooms has been awarded to Central Public Works Department (CPWD) and it is expected that the problems faced by the athletes with regard to using common bathroom facilities will be overcome shortly.

(d) Regarding the living conditions and the food being provided to the National Campers, there are committees which include the Chief National Coach, Nutritionist and the Hostel Warden who are regularly monitoring the food and cleanliness of the hostels.