Chandigarh, Nov 8 (IANS): A surprise visit by Haryana's new Sports Minister Anil Vij Saturday to a leading government-run sports school came as a shocker for him when he saw the state of affairs there.

Vij, who was on his way from Ambala to New Delhi, stopped for a surprise check at the prestigious Motilal Nehru School of Sports in Rai in Sonipat district.

Annoyed at the state of things and a number of irregularities he found there, Vij directed the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) to submit a report within a week.

"In the hostel, the minister found that the mattresses were very old and in very bad condition and had no bedsheets over them. The toilets were also in a dilapidated condition and the toilet seats were broken," a spokesman said.

"He also found the swimming pool in a very bad condition. There was fungus in the water. To his surprise, the covers of water tanks were open and this could lead to spread of diseases," the spokesman said.

Of the 50 boxing trainees, only 17 were present and no absentee record was maintained.

The sports school at Rai was set up in 1973 by the Haryana government to promote sports among children.