Following complaints by coaches from various districts participating in the Khel Mahakumbh about the food served not being appropriate for players, officials concerned have stated that monetary constraints are responsible for the type of food being served to the players. According to the officials, the Government Order (GO) signed for Khel Mahakumbh facilities limited amount for the diet of the players which gets decreaed further after Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Joint director of Youth Welfare department, Rakesh Chandra Dimri said, “As per the GO signed for the Khel Mahakumbh about Rs 150 is given to us for every player for daily diet but after GST is becomes Rs 123. The menu has been planned according to this. We cannot add or change anything in the menu as it may cost us more money which is not provided to us.”

When asked about players of some districts not being provided with proper sports kits he said, “This is a district matter and all these aspects are decided in the district plan. We have no role in this.”

Expressing about the problems faced in organising the Khel Mahakumbh this year Dimri said, “We got less time to organise such a huge event like Khel Mahakumbh this year, last year we had more time. It would have been better if we were provided with more time.”

The official also informed that the football match that was supposed to be held on January 20 has been rescheduled to February 17. “The highlight of this year Khel Mahakumbh is the football match; in order to make that competition a major event it has been shifted to February.”