National Games: Weightlifting platform eaten up by termite

Jamshedpur: Barely five days before start of the National Games, an imported laminated board meant for weightlifting platform for competition and training was found badly eaten up by terminate, a source in the Jharkhand Weightlifting Association (JWA) said.

The JWA got the 16 sq metre portable board about two years back but it was dumped in an open space in JRD Tata Sports Complex as there was no proper space to store it, the source said. The Games, originally slated for 2007, was deferred seven times mainly due to political instability in Jharkhand and would finally be held from February 12 to 26. Jamshedpur, one of the venues of the games, will be hosting weightlifting from February 22 to 25 among other events like archery, boxing, equestrian and women`s football. Confirming the damage, JWA secretary T D Roy said, "We still have time to conduct the event properly if necessary action is taken to replace the damaged equipments."The source said the officials of the technical committee as well as the Jharkhand Olympic Association (JOA) had inspected the equipment a couple of months back and it was found to be alright then. Roy said, JWA was getting ready to fix the equipment after "we were allotted a space in the complex a couple of days ago. But shocked to see the condition of the valuable equipment." Stating that lack of space for storing the equipment was the reason for the damage, Roy said his repeated plea for allotment of proper space remained unheard for two years.The equipment was dumped in an open space and he himself had to purchase tarpaulins to cover it twice in the past, Roy claimed. He said he has already informed the matter to Director of Sports, Jharkhand Government and Secretary General of National Games Organising Committee. Himani Pandey, Chairperson-cum-Deputy Commissioner here would also be apprised of. PTI