This is a guest post by K.T.Sundar Rao, an international veteran athlete from Visakhapatnam, on his disappointing Chennai Marathon 2010 experience.
Of all the athletic events, marathon run is the most fascinating to watch because of the enduring nature of the sport requiring the runners to complete a distance of 42kms approx. People cheer and encourage the marathon runners all along the route watching with awe and admiration but unfortunately, it seems it is not so with the organizers of the 8th Chennai marathon 2010 held on 21st February conducted by the Sports Authority Of Tamil Nadu.
I was one of the participants with chest number 074 having come all the way from Visakhapatnam bearing expenses for traveling, boarding and lodging. Before the start of the run the officials gave instructions about the route and rules and regulations only in Tamil without any consideration for those who came from other states and do not follow the local language. Despite my age (58years), I took part in the event due to sheer enthusiasm and also being an international veteran athlete.
The organizers, Tamil Nadu Sports Authority had charged Rs. 100 as the entry fee and provided only a sleeveless banyan. Though I had been granted receipt, it was taken back as the medical fitness certificate was given on the back of the same. The most unfortunate part of the story was the mismanagement by the organizers which was evident throughout the meet as may be seen, that on the last stretch of 7kms distance traffic control was totally abandoned and even the water points were withdrawn. The competitors including myself had to face the risk of being hit by the passing vehicles and at one stage I had to face the wrath of the traffic policemen and vehicle drivers for running on the busy traffic route!
Even at the finishing point there was nobody to receive the competitors who had completed the distance of 42kms after a grueling run without water and supporting medical aid in which the latter is mandatory for any marathon event. After finishing the run when we contacted some officials after a great difficulty in locating them, the response was not only devoid of any care and concern but also discourteous and callous. Not only myself but also the other participants felt highly disappointed and pained at the behavior of the officials which was very humiliating.
In this connection, I would like to say that i had participated in many international events abroad and the encouragement and support received from the officials and spectators was exemplary. When I ran the marathon in the World Veteran Athletic Meet 2002 at Brisbane, Australia, the spectators cheered loudly at me because I was from India. But I regret in my own country I had to face such humiliation and bad treatment at the hands of Tamil Nadu Sports Authority officials who conducted the marathon.
I narrate my experience at the Chennai marathon through your blog so that the Tamil Nadu Govt. and the Sports Authority take note of the most mismanaged sporting event and take necessary action to see that in future such sporting events are conducted properly and the visiting participants are treated with care and concern and with dignity and respect they deserve.
Yours Faithfully
K.T.Sundar Rao
Veteran Athelete,
Do No. 39-11-52,
Muralinagar,
Visakhapatnam-530007
Mobile no.9885456222.
1. Copy to The Managing Director,The Sports Authority Of Tamil Nadu,55 Jawaharlal Nehru Street-Stadium,4-Sydehams road, Chennai-600003.
2. Copy to The Editor,The Hindu, Seethammadhara, Visakhapatnam-530013.
