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The Indian contingent for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games is being forced to stay in a congested environment with no good vegetarian food on offer. Raj Singh, India’s chef-de-mission for the Games, has severely criticized the facilities provided at the Athletes Village.
Living facilities in Glasgow much worse than those in Delhi
"We were at the receiving end when we hosted the Games in 2010. But what we are getting at the Athletes Village in Glasgow is much below par compared to what India had given in 2010. Looking back in four years, I feel India had provided great facilities to the participating athletes,” Singh informed the media.
"At the Games Village here, the bathrooms are not attached to each room and the athletes will have to share bathrooms. In Delhi, we provided attached bathrooms with each apartment," he added.
The athletes are accomodated in a three storey apartment with very small rooms. "The total is anything between 12 and 15," an official stated, when asked about the number of athletes who are staying in one building.
"For each one of the sportspersons to get ready in time, we really have to do it fast, simply because too many people are using the limited facilities," another official added.
The food is not up to standard either
A majority of the people in India practice vegetarianism, and that extends to the country’s athletes as well. However, the members of the Indian contingent are reportedly finding it difficult to get adequate or wholesome nutrition in the largely non-vegetarian city of Glasgow.
"There are very few choices for vegetarians and many of our contingent members are vegetarians. There are pizzas and McDonald’s, but that is not good for athletes,” Singh said.
“The food at the Olympic Games with an Asian Food Court was way better. And if you remember we have 200-250 kinds of food items in Delhi for last Commonwealth Games," he was further quoted as saying.
With India receiving so much flak for the facilities arranged at the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games, it is perhaps no surprise that the country’s athletes and officials haven’t taken kindly to the sub-par conditions in Glasgow.
