Date:30/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/30/stories/2008123050530200.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Nellore

Poor amenities at tourney

Rajulapudi Srinivas

NELLORE: Several players attending for the ongoing 54th National School Games Hockey Championship (Under-17 boys and girls) in Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore district complain of vomiting, diarrhoea, and fever in the district.

The team members expressed serious concern over the poor facilities in the schools in which the committee members provided accommodation for them.

Four players and a coach were admitted in different hospitals in Nellore city in the last two days.

The players complained that there was acute shortage of drinking water, no proper ventilation for rooms and toilets in schools, water contamination and mosquito problem.

Speaking to The Hindu Indumati Maliya, girls’ hockey coach of Chattisgarh State, said the officials provided accommodation for girls in a private school in Bhaktavatsala Nagar, but there were no doors and windows, water and even carpets/blankets for sleeping.

A player of Uttar Pradesh Ashwini B.K. said no medical facilities were provided. Two doctors and three paramedical staff were arranged in Kanuparthipadu and AC Subba Reddy stadiums and providing treatment to the players.

Tournaments chairman and Collector K. Ram Gopal said the officials concerned would be informed about the health condition of the players and on poor facilities in school buildings.