Chef de Mission approaches embassy to get TV, furniture for Rio contingent

Rio de Janeiro, Aug 3 (IANS) After being denied more furniture and television sets by the Rio Games Organising Committee (OC), the Indian contingent's Chef de Mission Rakesh Gupta has decided to approach the Indian embassy in Brazil to purchase the articles.

Gupta's actions were prompted by Indian hockey team head coach's Roelant Oltmans' complaint of absence of TV sets and less chairs which he felt may affect the team's performance in the quadrennial extravaganza.

But the OC denied the facilities citing the guidelines of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which only permits TV sets for the Chef de Mission office and the TV Lounge on the common spaces.

"Following a request from our hockey teams to provide them with more chairs and TV sets, I had spoken and also written to the Organising Committee (OC) to do so," Gupta said in an official statement which was made available on Wednesday.

"The Organising Committee's representative replied, saying 'Unfortunately, Rio 2016 is only providing TVs for the Chef de Mission office and the TV Lounge on the common spaces.' As well the furniture is provided according to the guidelines confirmed and agreed with the IOC. You are welcome to come to the Rate Card Desk and check if there are items available to purchase'."

Gupta, meanwhile, has offered the hockey team the TV Set and the furniture in his office. The request for the items came at the managers/coaches meeting with the Chef de Mission. Following the hockey teams' requests, the athletics squad also made a similar demand.

Following that, Gupta tried to purchase them from Rate Card of the OC but found that the items were not available. The Chef de Mission then put a request to the Indian Embassy to purchase these items for the contingent.

"Now we have decided to put one TV set on each of the floors and also put additional chairs also. The equipment is expected to be placed in the apartments in the next few days," he said.

The OC representative also said they will check if the apartments can receive the cabling and will therefore make an inspection.

"I also inquired about the cable connection for TV sets on each floor and was told they would check if apartments can receive cabling. They have also informed us that this installation is chargeable. We have agreed to pay for cabling for each of the floors. The Organising Committee is making arrangements to do the same and it could take a day or two," Gupta said.

"We are trying to make things as comfortable as possible for our athletes, since they are representing our country. All their demands and requests have been met and we are working to ensure this one is also met," he added.