Footballer dies after colliding with goalkeeper

NEW DELHI – A 27-year-old football player in the eastern city of Jalpaiguri died after failing to receive medical attention following a collision with the opposition goalkeeper in a local match, Indian media reported Tuesday.

Mahesh Thapa, who was playing for Raikatpara Sports Association against Bhanu Nagar at a remote ground, died after being refused admission to three hospitals because no beds were available, the Indian Express reported.

Thapa was ferried between hospitals on a motorcycle as no ambulance was available.

He’s the second victim in India within four months.

A Bangalore player, D. Venkatesh, died in March after suffering cardiac arrest on the field. No ambulance was available and Venkatesh was taken to hospital in a three-wheel auto-rickshaw.

The All India Football Federation did not comment on Thapa’s death.

A federation official, who asked not to be quoted because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said that it would not comment as the game was not part of any sanctioned league.

In 2004, Brazilian striker Cristiano Junior of leading Indian club Dempo died on the field after colliding with Mohun Bagan goalkeeper Subrata Paul during the final of a national level tournament in Bangalore. — AP