Police officers from Dhanbad arrive for security duty on Thursday as they were unaware of the postponement of the 34th National Games. Picture by Prashant Mitra

Ranchi, Oct. 15: The fifth postponement of the already delayed 34th National Games may have angered sportspersons and confused some of the overseas engineers working at the Hotwar complex, but it sure has brought in a sense of relief to a group of securitymen that landed from Dhanbad today.

Sub-inspector Binod Kumar Singh and his men were unhappy when they arrived at the National Games Complex, which looked far from ready. They knew they would be missing Chhath Puja because of Games duty.

Not any more though. Breaking into a smile when told about the postponement, Singh’s colleague and state CID official Kamesh Jha said he could now hope to be home for Chhath.

“We are from Dhanbad and came here with our baggage,” explained Singh. “There was no one to receive us and we had no idea where our food and lodging arrangements had been made.”

Policemen from Dhanbad, Jamshedpur, Deoghar and personnel of the India Reserve Battalion (IRB) have been called to provide security at various venues, primarily the incomplete Hotwar complex where work was going on at a frenetic pace to get it ready by November 21 when the meet was supposed to start.

Near the Main Stadium, Australian engineer Andrew and his Indian colleague from Kerala, Markose, were instructing workers about a roof that had to be fixed to steel structures.

“We are here since September 25. We don’t want to comment on whether the work will finish by November 21. We are giving our best,” said Andrew, who seemed unaware of the latest developments.

Both belonged to multinational company Taiyo, involved with the Games infrastructure, and both were blissfully unaware about the turmoil the sports meet has been creating.

“This is none of our business, but we were apprehensive about the slow progress of work here,” Markose admitted.

Contract worker Rambishwas Dixit, who was earning Rs 170 per eight-hour shift, was at least aware of the deadline. “We are working in double shifts to meet the deadline,” he claimed.

Of course now he can relax.

Sportspersons like former international Savitri Purty, who was coaching the state women’s hockey team at Morabadi Astro Turf Ground, were furious.

“I know the Games have been postponed again. Sports is dying in Jharkhand. But as far as Jharkhand women’s hockey team is concerned, we will emerge winners whenever the Games are held,” she said. At the last Guwahati Games, the state was runners-up.

India international Sumrai Tete, who is representing the state at the ongoing sixth Jharkhand State Hockey Tournament — dubbed as a warm up tournament — said for players, such postponements were extremely discouraging.

For state sports secretary R.S. Verma, the postponement would mean further delays in the ongoing work.

“It’s not for the first time, but fifth time. It sends the wrong message. Several agencies entrusted with different tasks would now get a new excuse,” he lamented.