MAPUSA
Masks went off their faces and social distancing took a backseat, as the National Kickboxing Championship 2021 got off to a chaotic start at the Peddem complex with participants showing complete disregard to Covid-19 guidelines.
While officials conducted the matches inside the stadium, players and officials from different States were seen in large groups sitting in close proximity most without masks inside and outside the sports complex at Peddem in Mapusa.
Several players were complaining of rank bad organization as some were not provided accommodation while others complained of lack of food and water.
A group of participants from Telangana Kickboxing Association complained that they were not provided lodging till the wee hours of Friday.
Several players at the complex complained of having to go without breakfast.
“Each one of us coughed up Rs 10,000 as fee for this three-day event but we were not even provided proper breakfast,” said one player, who identified himself as a member of the Punjab team.
While some security guards were manning the entry points, the organisers were conspicuous by their absence.
Even the basic Covid protocol of temperature screening was not carried out against the participants entering the stadium.
According to the councilor of Mapusa Municipal Council, Shashank Narvekar Covid rules were flouted with impunity at the event.
“In a contact sport like this, how will someone maintain social distance and wear a mask? The permission to the event was issued with utmost secrecy. The organiser who was denied permission in Maharashtra gets it in Goa. What are the compulsions of the Goa government?” Narvekar queried.
He said the petrified officers in the administration were aware of the wrong doings but were unable to stand up against a vindictive executive class.
He said the participants were required to take an RT-PCR test within 72 hours before arriving in Goa.
“I presume the test must be negative since all the participants have already registered. However, one must realise that the participants are traveling to Goa by train and bus. They could contract the disease and start showing symptoms only after 5-7 days after exposure,” he opined.
NCP General Secretary, Sanjay Barde said the authorities take the locals to task if they don't follow Covid related protocols but the outstation participants at the kickboxing event were not questioned.
“We are not against the participants. But when the Maharashtra government refused permission to the event, why did the Goa government allow it? The chief minister should answer this,” Barde said.
He further said that the participants were spoiling the name of Goa as they were under the impression that Goans were organising the event.
Attempts to contact the organiser Sagar Surve were unsuccessful as his cell phone was switched off.
