Olympics gold medallist humiliated in Jharkhand

Ranchi:

Olympic gold medal-winning hockey player Syslvanus Dung Dung on Wednesday alleged he was humiliated by guards at the Directorate of Sports office here as they stopped him from entering the premises.

"It was a humiliating experience for 10 minutes on Monday. They allowed me after someone intervened and let me get stamped on a form which was already signed by Director of Sports, but not before I took shelter under the shade of a tree," Dung Dung, the former hockey player, said.

The incident came to light a day after sprinter P T Usha was hurt for allegedly being denied separate accommodation in Madhya Pradesh.

Dung Dung said the guards did not let him go even after he told them that he was a gold medallist of Moscow Olympics 1980.

"They would not listen. It seems I have to wear the medal to get permission to enter the official corridors," he said.

He required to get the official stamp on a form as he leaves for Gwalior tomorrow as coach of Jharkhand under-17 girls' hockey team to participate in junior Nehru Cup tournament beginning on October 11.

"Now I doubt whether the organisers of National Games would give me a complimentary pass to watch the National Games," he said.

"It will be a privilege for the 1980 Olympics hockey team if the organisers take our services in whatever capacity for National Games," said the lone Olympic gold medallist from Jharkhand.

"It's our fate," Dung Dung said when his attention was drawn to Usha's humiliation.

Director of Sports-cum Inspector General of Police (Provision), S N Pradhan, said nobody had brought the matter to his notice.

"The incident may have happened at the directorate of sports building, which has guards at the gate and office is on the fourth floor," he said.

"I was at National Games Organisation Committee office (which is in another building) where I signed his (Dung Dung's) form," Pradhan said.

Besides the Olympics, the former full-back also represented India in the World Cup, Essenda Cup and a host of other international tournaments, besides playing Services team in Rangaswami Cup for several years.