National School Games: Chandigarh team assaults Kerala players during match

Injured admitted to Government Multi-Speciality Hospital in Sector 16; Referee declared the match, in which the Kerala team was leading, a draw

Chandigarh, January 10
A semi-final match during the 57th National School Games that was being held at DAV Senior Secondary School in Sector 8 turned violent when 10 players of the Kerala handball team were assaulted by players of the rival Chandigarh team here today.

All players were taken to the Government Multi-Speciality Hospital in Sector 16 only when they informed their community members about the violence. The sports officials acted as mute spectators even as members of the Kerala team were being thrashed with bats, wickets and hockey sticks during the match.

The scuffle began when the Kerala team was leading with four points. The injured players alleged that their team was leading, but the match referee declared the match as draw and said that both teams had secured 13 points each. It was alleged that as the Kerala team players made queries from the referee, players of the Chandigarh team attacked them, resulting in injuries to Kerala players.

The injured included 10 players and two coaches of Kerala School Handball team. The scuffle lasted for some time, following which the team members were sent to their camp residence in Government Model Senior secondary School in Sector 26 in a bus. The manager of the Kerala team Shiabin informed their relatives in Kerala, following which the Kerala Sabha in Chandigarh was informed. It was only then that the police was called and the injured players were taken to the Government Multi-Speciality Hospital, Sector 16. Their X-ray examination was conducted and some of them sustained sprains on their arms and legs.

The injured included Kerala team captain Deljo David, vice-captain Vishnu Prasad and others, besides two coaches Rajiv and Sashi.

The police said the medical examination of the victims was being conducted. UT Home Secretary Anil Kumar also reached the hospital. A case will be registered only after legal opinion.

Officials mute spectators
The injured Kerala players were taken to the Government Multi-Speciality Hospital in Sector 16 only when they informed their community members about the violence. The sports officials acted as mute spectators even as members of the Kerala team were being thrashed with bats, wickets and hockey sticks during the match.
Match today

In a late-night development, the sport authorities announced that the match between the two teams would be played again on Wednesday at 9 am.