Netball player dies due to drowning at Kerala National Games

A pall of gloom descended on the ongoing National Games after a young Maharashtra netball player lost life apparently in a case of drowning at a nearby beach here today.

According to local police, 21-year-old Mayuresh Pawar of Maharashtra fell into the waters while trying to take photos at the Shamkumugham beach here this morning.

Though it was initially suspected that the player died of a cardiac arrest, the post mortem report pointed to the possibility of drowning as there was the presence was of water and sand in the youngster's internal organs, police said.

The National Games Secretariat officials here said the player and his fellow team members, who were on their way back after a practice session, dropped by at the beach for sightseeing.

"He was on his way back to the room after a practice session at the indoor stadium at Vellayani near here along with his other team members. Though he was rushed to the hospital, doctors declared him dead," a NGS official said.

The body of the player would be taken to his home state by flight tomorrow morning, the official said adding that all cultural programmes scheduled to entertain players at the venues and the Games Village has been cancelled as a mark of respect to the departed soul.