The ordeal of 18 young wrestlers from Odisha, who were forced to sit beside a toilet in the general compartment of a train while travelling to Gorakhpur for the National School Wrestling Championships, has sparked widespread outrage and raised uncomfortable questions about grassroots sports planning in the state.
The incident triggered a political storm, with Odisha’s Minister for School and Mass Education, Nityananda Gond, promising an enquiry and action against those responsible. Opposition leaders have slammed the ruling BJP government, questioning why it has failed to build on Odisha’s reputation as one of the country’s most sports friendly states. That reputation was earned in part through the state’s long-standing sponsorship of national and international teams and tournaments, particularly in hockey.
Amid the backlash, former Olympian and renowned shooting coach Joydeep Karmakar described the visuals as “quite disturbing and very unfortunate,” but urged authorities and stakeholders to examine deeper systemic issues instead of assigning blame to a single department or individual.
“You have to look at this in a bigger picture. This is not about blaming anyone. It is about planning. We are weak in planning when it comes to sports,” Karmakar told India Today.
“I do not know when the tickets were booked, but I am sure they were not confirmed and were probably arranged at a later stage. Whether it was the organisers or the group involved, there was a lapse somewhere,” he added.
Karmakar stressed that the episode reflects broader structural gaps in Indian sports administration. “The entire situation does not reflect well, especially when the government is doing so much for sport. We have definitely developed, but the sports ecosystem is still not integrated with mainstream systems like the railways,” he said.
Indian Railways Need to Have Sports Quota
Highlighting the lack of institutional support, Karmakar pointed out that sports associations are often informed about tournament schedules at the very last minute. This makes it extremely difficult to secure confirmed tickets on public transport, particularly during festive seasons.
He added that traditional institutions in India, such as the railways and the banking system, offer little to no structured support to athletes, which is where many sporting careers begin to struggle.
“The railways do not have any dedicated quota for athletes. One or two players may be accommodated, but how do you manage travel for 18 athletes without confirmed tickets? The railway authorities cannot be blamed alone. This highlights a systemic issue,” he said.
Drawing parallels with other sectors, Karmakar questioned the lack of financial and logistical backing for sportspersons. “If you go to a bank, you can get a loan for education. But do you get a loan for sports? If that is not happening, then the problem lies with the system. Sports is still not fully integrated into the mainstream. A lot of good work is happening, but it remains outside established structures,” he said, adding that “there are lapses at multiple levels.”
Sports Need Better Planning
The Odisha Sports Department, meanwhile, shifted responsibility for the incident to the Department of School and Mass Education, stating that it had neither been informed about the tournament nor about the travel arrangements for the athletes from Odisha to Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh.
Calling planning the biggest concern, Karmakar said such incidents were far from isolated. “Planning should be the top priority. Because of poor planning, we miss out on many opportunities. Incidents like this happen quite often across the country and have been happening for several years,” he said.
He cited contrasting examples to underline the disparity in treatment. “I have just boarded a flight and saw the Tamil Nadu kabaddi team travelling to Kolkata for the junior nationals. They are being flown there. Unfortunately, the 18 children from Odisha were not given the same opportunity,” he said, while acknowledging that budget constraints at the grassroots level are a reality.
Karmakar advocated institutional reform, stating, “It would be a welcome move if the railways had an athletes’ quota, just like the armed forces. These children are the future of India. They make the nation proud when they grow up.”
Banks, States Should Provide Support Early
In India, athletes are often rewarded financially only after they achieve success. Medal winners at major international competitions are given cash incentives and government jobs, which help them attain financial security.
Karmakar argued that this approach highlights a fundamental flaw in the system, as support often comes too late, when athletes are already established and no longer in urgent need of basic assistance.
“Athletes receive support once they achieve success. But what happens to younger athletes before they reach that stage? That is the real concern,” he said.
Calling for broader reforms, Karmakar added, “There should be provisions for athletes in railways, airlines, and even banks. Just as loans are available for education, there should be similar mechanisms for sports. Many changes are required.”
However, he cautioned against drawing premature conclusions. “It is difficult to blame anyone without an enquiry. In many cases, events are announced just a week before they begin, leaving no time to book confirmed tickets. That is also a practical issue that needs to be addressed,” he concluded.
The state government of Odisha have ordered a probe into the incident after a massive backlash on social media. Minister Nityananda Gond has assured that the government will find the lapse and take appropriate action.
– Ends
