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Khelo India Games 2025: Transport Chaos Forces Team to Book Autos for Match

The LNIPE Gwalior women's basketball team faced a major transport hiccup at the Khelo India University Games. Their scheduled vehicle left without them, forcing a last-minute scramble for auto-rickshaws. Team officials expressed frustration, saying such issues disrupt player focus before crucial matches. However, the state sports minister defended the event's logistics, calling them international standard.

Key Points: LNIPE Gwalior Team Raises Transport Issues at Khelo India University Games

  • The allotted vehicle left the hotel 10 minutes early without informing the LNIPE Gwalior team
  • The team had to book auto-rickshaws to ensure they reached their 11:30 AM match
  • Coach Dilip stated such logistical lapses mentally disturb players before a game
  • Rajasthan Minister Rathore defended arrangements, stating transport runs on a fixed schedule
2 min read

LNIPE team raises concerns over transportation issues at Khelo India University Games 2025

LNIPE Gwalior's women's basketball team faced transport lapses at Khelo India University Games 2025, forcing them to arrange autos to reach their match on time.

"We had to book the autos because our match was about to start... We even made a video call to the LOC to confirm that we are in autos. - Deepshikha, Team Physiotherapist"

Jaipur, December 3

The Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education (LNIPE) Gwalior women's basketball team has raised concerns over transportation arrangements at the Khelo India University Games 2025, claiming that a lack of timely communication forced them to arrange their own travel ahead of a scheduled match.

Team physiotherapist Deepshikha said the situation unfolded when the transport allotted to them did not arrive as expected.

"Today our allotted vehicle was due at 10 AM, but it had already left the hotel 10 minutes earlier, and we had no information about it. We only found out when we called the driver," she told ANI.

"Then we had to book the autos because our match was about to start... We even made a video call to the LOC to confirm that we are in autos," she added.

Team coach Dilip echoed the concerns, saying such lapses affect the players' mindset.

"There are problems... Such mistakes should not happen because our team's match was at 11:30 AM. The team gets mentally disturbed because of this," he said.

Responding to the issue, Rajasthan Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said the event is being conducted at international standards and clarified that transportation is operating as per schedule.

"A program of an international standard is being held in Rajasthan. I already briefed that there are cars and buses for every team, but they only run on schedule. If some players want to return early, we have arranged for taxis for them. There is nothing wrong with someone travelling in a taxi," he said.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Typical last-minute jugaad by our athletes. Shows their dedication that they still made it to the match on time. But it's sad that at a national-level event, basic logistics fail. The coach is right, it messes with the players' focus.
D
David E
As someone who has worked on event management, a detailed transport schedule with a point of contact for each team is non-negotiable. The driver leaving 10 mins early without informing the team is a major operational failure. The LOC needs to own this.
A
Aditya G
Rathore Sir is a former sportsperson himself, he should understand the stress this causes. Saying "nothing wrong with someone travelling in a taxi" misses the point. The problem is the lack of reliable information, not the mode of transport. Hope they learn from this.
S
Shreya B
Heart goes out to the team. Competing is stressful enough without these hassles. The fact they had to make a video call to prove they were in autos is just... wow. 😅 Proper coordination is the bare minimum we can provide for our future champions.
M
Michael C
While the lapse is unfortunate, organizing an event of this scale across multiple venues is complex. The minister mentioned taxis are available for early departure. Perhaps there was a misunderstanding on the pickup time? Both sides need clearer protocols.

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