Bengaluru: Following a peaceful opening day of the 14th Federation Cup national athletics championship for juniors, tragedy struck Kerala’s pole vault queen Shani Shaji on Tuesday evening at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium.
A medal prospect in the junior women’s event, Shaji fractured her ankle during the title run. “She took off but came straight down in the same angle and landed hard on ground,” a witness said.
Lying on the track in severe pain, a young Shaji was initially given first aid but there was no sign of an ambulance or a stretcher. After waiting for over ten minutes, the officials carried her till the gate and drove her in a private car to the nearest Mallya Hospital.
On the unfortunate incident, Karnataka Athletics Association Secretary Chandrashekar Rai took the blame. “It’s a lapse from our side. But we will ensure she will get a good treatment and we will bear the expenses,” he said.
According to Kerala coach P.P. Paul, “She has suffered a fractured ankle and will be on observation for now. She will be out of action for a few weeks.”
Monitoring the proceedings, C.K. Valson, Secretary, Athletics Federation of India, said safety should be the priority during junior-level events. “We will ensure that the events tomorrow (Thursday) will not begin till the ambulance and doctors are in the stadium. It is the second time that has happened and it is very unfortunate,” he said.
More than 500 athletes are participating in various events during the three-day championship, but there is only one medical assistant from St. John’s Ambulance Association, who carries minimum equipment and medicines. He was seen treating the athletes only for minor injuries.
