The Indian contingent that was taking part in the Deaflympics of the Olympics for those impaired in hearing just returned home in the wee hours of the morning.

PTI/Twitter

But guess what? No one was there to meet them. It is understood that Sports Minister Vijay Goel is in hospital due to chest infection but someone from the concerned authorities should have been there.

Twitter

Needless to say they were not happy about it. They won 5 medals at the Games and this is how we repay them? By not recognising their hard work?

India's successful run at the Games with 5 medals

Indiatimes

Virender Singh secured gold in the 74kg freestyle wrestling while Ajay Kumar and Sumit Dahiya bagged bronze medals in 65kg anf 97kg respectively. Diksha Dagar clinched a silver in golf while Prithvi Sekhar and Jafreen Shaik won bronze in men's doubles tennis event.

Not enough coverage

Indiatimes

Let's be honest, if today's protest had not happened, we would have never known that the Deaflympics contingent was returning. We at Indiatimes too hardly gave it the importance it deserved like we did when the Paralympics were going on and that is something we need to address. Truth be told, the only reason our athletes are in the limelight is because they are refusing to leave the airport and that is not done.

Unlike in cricket when even a win is celebrated with so much zeal, there is so much discussion. On this occasion, it just fell through the cracks

AFP

Lack of recognition

This is not done. Such is the lack of exposure for them that most people would probably not know that we had an Olympic team for those who cannot hear. So it's hardly a surprise that their achievements are shoved under the carpet. This is our best performance at the event and the players clearly feel let down.

Today's incident is a slap in the face of those in charge of managing the contingent. Steps should have been taken to ensure proper coverage of their return home. Ironically it is the protest that has brought them to the limelight which just shows the sorry state of affairs of our sports administration.

@SushmaSwaraj Our Deaf team has just returned from their Olympics after winning 6 medals. Minister of Sports refusing to meet them. Help us. — Jamshed S Daboo (@dabiajsd) August 1, 2017

@htTweets Deaf team returns to India after winning 6 medals at the Deaf Olympics at Turkey. Sports minister refuses to meet them. — Jamshed S Daboo (@dabiajsd) August 1, 2017

To those in charge, please ensure this does not happen again, it's a big embarrassment and hopefully amends will be made. Damage control is the order of the day.