The Badami Boys (as they call themselves) had been training on the rocks of Badami over the past few months. They were quite excited to come to Bangalore, to experience first-hand, what its like to climb on artificial walls. It was their first trip to a big city-also a necessary one, since all climbing competitions are held on artificial walls. The welfare of rural climbers, is however, at the bottom of the priority list for the 'Youth Empowerment and Sports Department' (yes, such a department exists within the Government of Karnataka). The Commissioner (the head of this department), flatly refused accommodation for these boys at the Kanteerva Stadium (where lodging is meant to be accessible for visiting athletes). He didn't particularly care that these young boys from the villages could be stranded in Bangalore, or that he was denying their rights as athletes by abusing his position of power. Two little children of an anonymous sponsor, however, generously donated their room for these climbers to stay. And this was home for the Badami boys during the next seven nights of stay. When I met the boys on their arrival in Bangalore, they had told me they were afraid to cross the roads. The roads were too wide, the vehicles threatening. "Are you still afraid?" I asked a few days later. "Not anymore," they said. #wherearethefunds #sportclimbing #india #bangalore #climbing #government #corruption #rural #climbers #outdoors
