KSFA ties up with two B'lore hospitals

Karnataka State Football Association has joined hands with two top hospitals in the city to provide medical facilities to the players during the upcoming matches.

The Bangalore Football Stadium is scheduled to host the 23rd round of I-league match between local club Hindustan Aeronautics Sports Club and Pune Football Club on Tuesday, two weeks after the death of Bangalore Mars footballer D Venkatesh on the pitch.

As such, KSFA has tied up with Hosmat and Sagar Apollo (Jayanagar) hospitals to get the services of two ambulances and doctors at the venue during a match. “For the I-League matches we have a tie-up with Hosmat and Sagar Apollo and they will provide ambulance with all facilities and doctors,” said KSFA secretary E Krishna Narayana.

Venkatesh collapsed on the pitch during the BDFA ‘A’ Division league match against South Western Railway on March 21 and died before he could get proper medical treatment, with the stadium not equipped with an ambulance or other facilities.

The All-India Football Federation subsequently put off the I-League match between HASC and Pailan Arrows scheduled for March 31 to April 28 and the local association indefinitely postponed all ‘A’ Division and Super Division ties.

KSFA is in the process of buying an ambulance, as announced by its president A R Khaleel, while tight security measures will be in place for Tuesday’s game.

“KSFA have already paid the first instalment for purchasing the ambulance. In a few days time, we will receive the vehicle,” Krishna Narayana said.

After their game against Pune FC, HASC will play Mumbai FC on April 14 and a day later, the venue will host the two-week Mahindra Football Challenge. The officials, however, are yet to arrive at a decision on when to re-start the ‘A’ Division and Super Division league.