This Article is From Jul 28, 2016

Marathon Boy Budhia Singh Unwilling To Return To Sports Hostel, Records Statement

Marathon Boy Budhia Singh Unwilling To Return To Sports Hostel, Records Statement

Budhia Singh set a record by running over 60 km from Puri to Bhubaneswar at the age of six.

Bhuabaneswar: Unwilling to return to the state-run Sports Hostel in Bhuabaneswar, marathon wonder boy Budhia Singh today recorded his statement with the police and Child Welfare Committee in connection with a case over his alleged kidnapping.

The police recorded the statement of Budhia Singh and his mother Sukanti Singh on their return from Mumbai last night after a month-long disappearance, Commissioner of Police Y B Khurania told reporters in Bhuabaneswar.

Mr Khurania said the statements were recorded under section 161 of CrPC. He said the boy's statement would also be recorded by the court under section 164 of CrPC.

Earlier, the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Khurda, had lodged a complaint with the Nayapapply police station alleging that the wonder boy was kidnapped.

Budhia, on his return, however, said that he along with his mother had gone to Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu and from there to Mumbai before returning to Bhubaneswar.

Meanwhile, Budhia Singh, who came to the lime light by running a 65-kilomere distance from Puri to Bhubaneswar at a stretch when he was only six years old, said in the hostel he felt like being lodged at a jail.

He was staying at the sports hostel since 2007 after child rights organisations alleged that Budhia was exploited.

Budhia had left the hostel on May 10 during summer vacation and did not return report back.

However, now at the age of 15, Budhia claimed he was not getting desired training at the sports hostel.

"I feel like lodged in a jail. There is no proper training for me," Budhia said.

"He will not stay at the sports hostel. He is not going to stay there anymore," said Budhia's mother Sukanti Singh. The mother, instead said that she would prefer to allow Budhia to stay at a private place where he would get a proper training.

The wonder boy also alleged that he was being given training for 100 metre, 200 metre race while he was interested in long-distance running.

Sports Hostel in-charge Rupanitwa Panda rejected Budhia's allegation and said, "I do not believe that the inmates feel the sports hostel like a jail. There are 240 inmates including Budhia in the sports hostel. Let the view of others be considered."
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