New Delhi: Fifteen-year-old female footballer Nitisha Negi from Delhi, who had gone to take part in the non-recognised Pacific School Games at Adelaide, Australia, died after being drowned at the Glenelg beach, a top official of School Games Federation of India (SGFI) informed here Monday.
Nitisha was one of the five Indian footballers who were swept away by a huge wave Sunday when they ventured into the sea and posed for taking selfies.
Four of the five girls were rescued by local surf lifesavers while the fifth one was found dead after resumption of search operation Monday morning. Her dead body was recovered near a rocky breakwater, the same section of beach where the two migrant boys drowned last year.
SGFI, which is headed by double Olympic medallist wrestler, Sushil Kumar, had fielded U-18 teams in six disciplines including hockey, football and softball for the invitational event, jointly organised by the Australian government and School Sports Australia. The Indian contingent had around 120 members.
The sports ministry has ordered an inquiry into the unfortunate incident. SGFI secretary-general Rajesh Mishra confirmed the news. “We got the message from Australia that the dead body of the girl was recovered this morning after a massive search operation. It is a very unfortunate incident,” Mishra said from Agra on phone.
Mishra said all the five school girls, including Nitisha who met a tragic end, were from Delhi. “Out of the four who were taken to the hospital, three have been discharged while the fourth girl is likely to be discharged shortly. She (the fourth girl) was kept at the ICU but is now out of danger and will be discharged tomorrow (Tuesday),” Mishra informed.
Asked why the school girls were allowed to go to the dangerous area of the beach, Mishra said, “We have sent an official of the SGFI to probe the matter and the federation will take action on the basis of that report.”
Press trust of India
