Patna: CPI MLC Kedar Pandey has written to chief secretary Deepak Kumar demanding a high-level probe into what he called anomalies in Tarang, the Bihar school sports meet.

Pandey, also president of a teachers' association, sought to draw attention to alleged bungling of funds in organising the meet. He said Tarang's theme is to organise athletic events at the school, block or district-level. "But in the garb of organising such meets, there is bungling of funds," Pandey said. "Recently, a Tarang event was held at the Patliputra Sports Complex. The stadium was allotted free of cost to district education officials and sports equipment provided by the art, culture and youths affairs department. But only a handful of events was held and winners were awarded poor quality medals and trophies."

Also, he said, it emerged during the event that several participating players were not genuine students of schools they were representing.

The Patliputra Sports Complex hosted two tournaments, first at the block level, which was organised by the block education officer (BEO) on September 11, and then athe district level, organised by the district programme officer (DPO) on September 13.

Tarang, a sports meet, is organised by the education departmentby selecting best players at the school level. Tournaments are held at the block and district level. Pandey said he will raise the issue during the next Assembly session.

Lack of seriousness in holding such a sports meet has come at the time when Bihar was poorly represented in the just-concluded Asian Games.

Only two players from the state, having a population of over 11 crore, participated in the Asian Games but none of them were able to perform.

Abhishek Kumar, spokesperson of Bihar Madhyamik Sikhsak Sangh said: "If there is lack of seriousness in holding sports meet at the junior level, how come our sportspersons can participate at the national level."