Lawn bowlers participating in the 3rd Khelo India Youth Games here were allegedly not allowed to enter their hotel rooms on Monday evening “for non-payment of bills”.

The players, including medal winners for Assam, had to wait for more than 30 minutes outside the hotel.

“Our luggage was kept in the lobby and we were not allowed to enter our rooms because the hotel bills were apparently not paid. This kind of treatment is not expected. It’s utterly disappointing,” a player said.

Some will play their final games on Tuesday. Assam have qualified for the semi-finals in remaining events of mixed pairs and triples. Assam bagged five gold, a silver and two bronze medals in lawn bowling so far.

Games chief executive officer Avinash Joshi, however, tried to play down the issue. “No…that’s not true. I have got it checked. Kamrup (metro) deputy commissioner (Biswajit Pegu) has already spoken to the hotel authorities. There were some issues regarding payment which was delayed by a day or so. The payment will be made tomorrow,” he said.

“There was some misunderstanding on the part of the hotel management. I have already spoken to the owner of the hotel and things have been resolved. The athletes are in Hotel Park Riveria and have not moved out anywhere,” Pegu said in a tweet, that was shared on the KIYG page.

The Games have been marred by alleged mismanagement issues.