THOOTHUKUDI: It was a game that turned fatal for Mareeswari, a 14-year old boxer from Thoothukudi. A Class-IX student, Mareeswari, daughter of daily wage labourer Kennedy, was participating in the under-15 category of the knock-out tournament at Khelo India competitions being conducted by the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu in Thoothukudi.
According to sources, she collapsed on the ground and died without responding to medical treatment on Friday.Playing in an open boxing stage, Mareeswari took time-out after her first round. Then, she suffered breathing trouble and collapsed on the ground. Her parents and co-players rushed her to a private hospital on VE road where the doctors referred her to the Thoothukudi medical college hospital, where she later died.
The district sports officer L Theerthose said that Mareeswari wore all mandatory safety gear while playing. She was accompanied by her mother and brother. Resident Medical Officer Silas Jebamani said that she was admitted to the government hospital at 1.15 pm. She was shifted to emergency ward. But without responding to medical treatments, Mareeswari died at 2.45 pm. The reason for the death can be ascertained only when postmortem is done, the doctor said.
Sub-Collector Deepak Jacob, Assistant Superintendent of Police S Selvanagarathinam visited the hospital and consoled the relatives. A case has been registered at Thoothukudi South police station under section 174 of IPC and further investigations are on, the police said.