Congress demanded an investigation into death of Fathima Shihabuddin and sought action against those responsible.
Published Dec 23, 2022 | 12:05 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 23, 2022 | 12:05 PM
Kerala Opposition blames government over the death of cycle polo player. (Representational Image/Creative Commons)
The death of a cycle polo player from Kerala in Nagpur was termed “unfortunate” by the Opposition Congress on Friday, 23 December, even as it accused the ruling Left government of “negligence” and “failure” to address issues faced by players from the state.
The player — 10-year-old Fathima Nida Shihabuddin — had travelled to Nagpur to participate in the National Cycle Polo championship.
The Congress demanded a proper investigation into the death of Fathima , a native of Alappuzha, at the earliest and sought action against those officials who had failed to ensure adequate facilities to the young sports star.
According to authorities, Fathima collapsed and died at a private hospital in Nagpur on Thursday morning.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condoled the death of the young player.
Kerala Congress president K Sudhakaran charged that the Cycle Polo Federation of India showed grave neglect toward the players from the state as they came to participate in the event with a court order.
The state players were denied food and accommodation by the federation, though they allowed them to compete, he alleged.
The Congress leader said the state government and the Sports Department had the duty and responsibility to address the issues being faced by our players and intervene immediately.
“But, just like the past, the Sports Department remained a mere spectator in this issue,” he claimed.
Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the state Assembly VD Satheesan also blamed the Sports Department for its “failure” to provide basic amenities and security to the players.
Satheesan also urged the Union Sports Ministry to inquire into the alleged denial of basic facilities and rights of the Kerala cycle polo team by the federation.
The girl had not passed motion for the past two days, championship organising secretary Gajanan Burde told PTI.
“She was part of the Kerala team in the sub-junior segment. I met the secretary of their team, which had arranged accommodation on their own, on Wednesday. I was told about her not passing motions for the past two days and taking ill Thursday morning,” Burde said.
Fathima collapsed and died in a private hospital in Nagpur after being administered M-set injection in the morning, he claimed.
According to police, Fathima Shihabuddin’s medico-legal case has been received from Shrikrishna Hospital.
She had gone there with the complaint of stomach ache and died five minutes after being administered an injection.
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