06 August,2015 08:31 AM IST | | Sundari Iyer
Parents, coach tend to injured 14-year-old girl, then rush her to hospital in absence of medical facilities or officials at Kandivli's SAI ground on Tuesday
The 14-year-old Mary Immaculate Girls School student, who suffered a ligament tear on Tuesday at Sports Authority of India (SAI) ground in Kandivli
The plight of girls competing in football tournaments organised by the District Sports Office (DSO) doesn't seem to end.
The 14-year-old Mary Immaculate Girls School student, who suffered a ligament tear on Tuesday at Sports Authority of India (SAI) ground in Kandivli
After mid-day reported on Tuesday about the absence of changing rooms for girls at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) ground in Kandivli, an even more glaring instance of apathy from the DSO officials was witnessed at the ground on the same day.
No medical facilities
During the suburban girls' U-17 Subroto Cup quarter-final held between Udayachal High School (Vikhroli) and Mary Immaculate Girls School (Borivli) at the Kandivli venue, a 14-year-old player from the Borivli school suffered an injury and was tended to by coaches and parents present at the venue.
Let alone an ambulance or doctors, there was no first-aid kit at the venue. The player, who did not wish to be named, was carried to a car on a chair and then rushed to Borivli's Apex Hospital by the coach and parents where tests revealed that she had suffered a ligament tear on her left leg.
Recollecting the incident, she said, "There was no medical aid available on the spot. The ground is unplayable as it is uneven with a lot of pebbles around.
Fortunately, our coach ensures that we always carry ice packs. The incident happened just five minutes before the first-half whistle was blown. An opposition team player tried to tackle me. I fell and was unable to get up. I have been asked to rest for three weeks before the doctor assesses the injury."
DSO clueless
Another player's parent, on condition of anonymity, said, "A few parents and coaches made the player sit on a chair and took her to a hospital in Borivli. It is a serious concern that the organisers are not even bothered to come to the venue when the matches are held. The least they can do is have some basic facilities made available to the players."
DSO official Sanjog Dhole blamed his hectic schedule for being unaware about the incident. "We have a DSO officials' meeting that is going on. It is very difficult for a single person to organise matches and be present at the venue. Since there was no official letter sent to me about the injury, I had no clue about the incident," said Dhole.
