Hyderabad: India's star sprinter Hima Das, who is currently training at the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports in Patiala, has complained about the quality of food cooked in the institute. She was backed many other athletes who are also training at NIS. The players have also protested about bad hygiene in the kitchen.
The Sports Authority of India has set a 'Food Inspection Committee' to ensure that the quality of meal remains as per the requirement of athletes.
As per newspaper sources, Hima had complained about the presence of 'human nails' in her food. The sprinter from Assam had even taken pictures of her meal from her mobile phone and shared them with the NIS administration.
Hima also took the matter up to the sports minister Kiren Rijiju and then Rijiu instructed the SAI to solve Hima's problem as soon as possible. SAI director-general, Sandip Pradhan, secretary SAI, Rohit Bhardwaj, and other officials held a virtual review meeting which was joined by Hima and other complaining players.
"Some athletes had raised an issue about the quality of food at the mess at NS NIS, Patiala in mid-August. As soon as it was brought to notice, immediate corrective action was taken to ensure that even one-off issues of this nature are not faced by athletes. A review meeting was held with officials, staff and players on the same day and instructions were issued to ensure that the quality of food is as per the requirement of the athletes. Feedback from athletes confirm that the quality of food is as per their liking and requirement," the SAI statement read.
"As per policy, SAI has set up a Food Inspection Committee and is also strengthening the kitchen staff at NIS. A food helpline number has also been set up to order food items of athletes' choice," it added.
The statement quoted Hima as saying, "Our concern was addressed immediately. We had said that we were not happy with the quality of cooking. And ever since we raised the concern, the quality of cooking has really improved."
Earlier, the social distancing protocol breach by its staff members and the recent violation of quarantine norms by two Olympic-bound boxers brought the institute in news for wrong reasons.
