PAID HOLIDAY
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The talk still centers on the recently concluded Games in India. This time the focus is on the amount of observers who had gone to witness the event. The amount seems to have exceeded 70 and most of them did not do the job they were supposed to do – Observe – the sports that they were supposed to keep a close eye on. Some of them had not gone to a single venue but they were seen shopping around vigorously. Mind you, all this at the expense of the country they represent. Any better way to describe a ‘Paid Holiday’?
BOUNCING ALL THE WAY
While the observers had a grand time sports members of the game played with a bouncing ball too had a field day at the Games. Before the team left Sri Lanka they were aware that they will not be able to play in the competition due to international restrictions. But the 16 member team did not disclose this to the authorities concerned. They kept mum about it and had a shopping spree all at the expenses of the country they represented.
BOOZE GALORE
Also it was noticed that on return the most number of things purchased at the Duty Free Shops was liquor bottles. Dozens were bought by syndicating the passports. Just to imagine that close upon 150 million was spent to send this contingent to the neighbouring country and on their return they spent their private cash mainly on liquor!
ANOTHER PROBLEM
There was another problem! This was getting accreditations to the large number of observers who were present with the local team. However the neighbouring officials obliged the local officials on the ground that the amount of accreditations doled out should be kept a secret because if the word got around that so many accreditations were given then they too would be under fire and could cause problems at future international meets while dealing with observers.
TIGHT SECURITY
This is about the boss of the most popular sport in the country. He attends meetings with a large number of security personnel around him. It is said that most of the security personnel are from his side of the party as they want to keep the ‘Boss’ happy that he is well looked after. What better way to keep a close check on a person rather than his own men!