Sports
'Atheletes' suicide bid shows need to strengthen sports training'
New Delhi, May 13
The government on Wednesday
said the incident of attempted suicide at a water sports centre in
Kerala shows there is urgent need to strengthen the training system for
sportspersons.
"The shocking and tragic incident that occurred at
SAG Water Sports Centre, Alappuzha does point out an urgent need to
strengthen the SAI (Sports Authority of India) training system," said a
statement by Minister of State for Sports Sarbananda Sonowal read out in
the Lok Sabha.
A 15-year-old sportsperson died and three others
were hospitalised after consuming a poisonous fruit in an apparent
suicide pact following alleged harassment by seniors.
The girls were undergoing training at the Water Sports Centre of the SAI.
The
statement, read out by Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs
Rajiv Pratap Rudy, said the incident shows the urgent need to strengthen
Sports Authority of India's training system.
He said several
external probes are currently underway including a police investigation
"hence it would not be appropriate to make any specific comment in this
regard".
"We would examine all suggestions and take necessary
action at the earliest to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the
future," the statement said.