Fathima Nida Shihabuddin

The Nagpur District Cycle Polo Association has organised National Sub-Junior, Junior, and Senior Cycle Polo Championship. Tournament’s inauguration happened in full swing on Thursday, December 22 despite the death of a 10-year-old Kerala girl on the same day.

The deceased, identified as Fathima Nida Shihabuddin was from Alappuzha district of Kerala. She arrived in Nagpur on Wednesday, December 21 with a 24-member contingent of Kerala Cycle Polo Association (KCPA).

Nida started vomiting on Wednesday evening and when it did not stop till Thursday morning, she walked to the nearest hospital with her coach, which is 200 meters from where the team was staying.

What happened at the hospital

As reported by  TOI, KCPA’s women’s team coach Jithin said, “When we reached the hospital, doctors said she needs to be kept under observation and started the treatment. After she was given the injection, she complained of pain in her hand, and suddenly we saw blood coming out of her nose. She collapsed in front of our eyes.”

There have been allegations that she was not given adequate medical care. Nida was taken to Shrikrishna hospital for first aid. Director of the hospital Dr Mahesh Fulwani as reported by TOI said, “Following assessment, we advised the coaches to admit the girl at our or any other hospital of their choice. They insisted on first aid. Our on-duty doctor gave her half a dose of ondansetron — an anti-vomiting injection.”

Nida suffered fits and went into cardiac arrest after 5 minutes of getting the injection. Dr Fulwani informed that the injection is commonly given to patients to stop vomiting or before surgery. He added that the doctors were not aware of the patient’s past medical history or if she was allergic to any drug. Nida’s parents said that she had no history of medical complications, meanwhile her father, who is an auto-rickshaw driver, reached Nagpur during late evening with two KCPA officials.

Reportedly, the post-mortem will be done on Friday, December 23 by Government Medical College and Hospital’s forensic science department.

Congress demanded probe 

According to reports, the players are being neglected by National Federation. The opposition Congress on Thursday termed the incident as “unfortunate” and demanded a proper investigation. They accused the Left government of ‘negligence’ and ‘failure’ in regard with issues faced by players from the state.

Karnataka Congress Committee President K Sudhakaran charged that the national federation for cycle polo showed grave neglect towards the players. He alleged that state players were even denied food and accommodation by the Federation though they allowed them to compete. He claimed, “But, just like the past, the Sports department remained mere spectators in this issue also.”

The LoP V D Satheesan also urged the Union Sports Ministry to inquire into the alleged denial of basic facilities of the KCP team by the Federation.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has condoled Nida’s death and the state government is looking into the allegations.

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