New Delhi: In yet another case of apathy towards athletes, members of the Indian team bound for the Asia Pacific Deaf Games (APDG) were forced to sleep on pavements in their wait for visa ahead of the competition beginning in Taoyuan, Chinese Taipei tomorrow.

Athletes, part of a 40-member squad, were left to fend for themselves ahead of the tourney with some spending the last night outside a Gurudwara as authorities failed to provide shelter. The Sports Ministry-recognised All India Sports Council of the Deaf was responsible for the athletes, and sports minister Sarbananda Sonowal has ordered an inquiry into the incident.