Sisodia orders probe after Delhi footballer death in Australia, protest by hockey team

A 15-year-old female footballer from Delhi, Nitisha Negi, had gone to take part in Pacific School Games in Australia. She drowned last week at the Glenelg Beach in Adelaide

The Delhi government has ordered an inquiry into two incidents of alleged mismanagement and carelessness in taking care of students participating in the Pacific School Games in Australia.

Sisodia said that the inquiry should be completed within a month and the report along with the action taken be submitted to him by January 19, 2018. (Sonu Mehta/HT PHOTO)

“I am in recipient of a complaint about mismanagement and carelessness in taking care of students who have gone to Australia with the SGFI (school games federation of India) this year...” deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia said.

He said that the inquiry should be completed within a month and the report along with the action taken be submitted to him by January 19, 2018.

The incident relates to a video showing girls’ hockey team from India protesting against lack of facilities during the Pacific School Games in Australia. The Sports Authority of India clarified that no sanction/approval for travel was accorded to the team and the coach.

“We all are aware of the unfortunate incident that took place where a brave and aspirant girl, Nitisha Negi, lost her life while few other girls were rescued safely,” added Sisodia.

Negi, a 15-year-old female footballer from Delhi, who had gone to take part in the unrecognised Pacific School Games in Australia, died last week after drowning at the Glenelg Beach in Adelaide

Sisodia said that both the incidents are evidence that something wrong is going on and ordered the secretary (education) to get the entire matter inquired through a competent officer.

“The inquiry should also be covering both the incidents that took place with the hockey and football players, the carelessness at SGFI, at the level of Sports Branch or at any other level,” he said.