A shocking video showing 18 school‑level wrestlers from Odisha sitting near a train toilet while travelling to the National School Wrestling Championship in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, has triggered nationwide anger and questions over official negligence. The contingent, comprising 10 boys and 8 girls, was sent by the State School and Mass Education Department but allegedly boarded without sufficient confirmed tickets, forcing most of the athletes to travel in cramped, unhygienic and freezing conditions in the general compartment corridor.
Cramped near the toilet in biting cold
According to reports, only four wrestlers had confirmed seats, while the remaining players and accompanying teachers had to sit on the steel floor near the toilet area, which is both narrow and used as a passage between coaches. In the viral footage, the young athletes are seen huddled with their luggage, wrapped in layers of clothing and sometimes sitting on bags to shield themselves from the biting winter cold.
The area where they were seated is typically foul‑smelling and constantly used by passengers crossing between bogies, raising serious concerns about hygiene, safety and basic human dignity. Some wrestlers later recounted that their heads ached from resting against luggage for hours due to the lack of space and seats.
Opposition slams government over “no dignity, no respect”
The incident led to a strong backlash against the Odisha government, with opposition leaders accusing it of failing its own young athletes despite proudly projecting the state as a sports hub. Critics pointed out that Odisha has successfully hosted global events like the Hockey World Cup, yet could not ensure confirmed tickets and safe travel for school wrestlers representing the state at a national competition.
Describing the visuals as a “national embarrassment” and a “shameful display” of neglect, political leaders questioned how the state could talk about building champions when student athletes were treated without dignity or basic facilities. Social media users also condemned the situation, amplifying the video and demanding accountability from sports and education authorities.
Government orders enquiry after video goes viral
Following the uproar, Odisha’s Minister for School and Mass Education, Nityananda Gond, announced that an enquiry had been ordered into the travel arrangements and promised swift action against those found responsible. Gond said the government needed to identify what went wrong, who approved the journey without proper tickets, and how such inhumane conditions were allowed for minors travelling for an official event.
Officials from the School and Mass Education Department have reportedly tried to shift blame, claiming they were not fully informed about the final travel plan, even as internal reports indicate mismanagement and poor coordination between departments.
Athletes faced ordeal on both onward and return journeys
Reports suggest that the wrestlers not only travelled in these conditions on the way to Gorakhpur but also faced a similar ordeal on their return journey because their tickets again remained unconfirmed. One of the students said that only after a travelling ticket examiner, who happened to be a sportsperson, noticed their plight near the toilets were some temporary seats arranged for part of the route.
The repeated failure to secure safe travel for the athletes has raised serious questions about systemic neglect of grassroots sportspersons, especially students from modest backgrounds who rely entirely on government support to compete at higher levels.
Call for reforms in athlete welfare and travel norms
Sport activists and former players are now urging the Odisha government to introduce strict protocols for the travel and accommodation of young athletes, including mandatory confirmed tickets, safe seating and supervision during long journeys. Many argue that the humiliation and hardship faced by the wrestlers could affect their morale and trust in the system, undermining years of investment in sports promotion. For in-depth report read here.
As the enquiry proceeds, the incident stands as a stark reminder that genuine sports development requires not only stadiums and events but also basic respect, safety and dignity for the athletes who represent the state and country.
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