Bhubaneswar, Dec. 28: The state-level rural sports competition today took off to a colourful start, but by lunch time it was in a soup over stale food.

Almost 3,000 U-16 sportspersons from 30 districts have gathered to take part in the five-day sports meet, organised under the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan scheme, at Kalinga Stadium and on the Unit-I Boys' High School premises.

About 1,500 boys have been put up at the Unit-1 Boys' High School and other institutes in the area. While some of them alleged that the quality of the food served to them was very poor, others complained that they didn't get breakfast. Following allegations, the Khurda district administration officials changed the caterer.

"We were served rice that was almost raw and uncooked and the dal and other dishes were also made of low quality pulses and the vegetables were raw too. Some dishes were stale," said Jitendra, an athlete taking part in the event.

"The breakfast was supposed to begin at 7.30am and when we arrived at 9am we were told that the food was finished. Many of us went to the field on an empty stomach," said another participant.

Officials said the caterer was asked to prepare food worth Rs 150 per head for three times a day and yet they provided poor quality food. Following the complaints, their contract to provide food for the entire event was immediately cancelled.

"When we received information that the participants have been provided bad quality food, we immediately took action and removed the present caterer. We have appointed a new catering supplier," said the additional district magistrate of Khurda, Abani Kanta Patnaik.

The caterer, however, said the problem was with crowd management by the organisers. "According to the schedule, the breakfast was to be served at 7.30am, and we had prepared accordingly. But when about 1,500 participants came rushing and there were no officials to manage them, it created huge chaos," said Ganeswar Sadangi, the caterer.

About 1,200 girls have been put up at the Kalinga Stadium and so far they have not reported any complains. The participants will be competing in athletics, football, kabaddi, kho kho, volleyball and weightlifting. The best performers will take part in the national rural sports competition to be hosted next year.