SAG team hit by Dengue

11 members of the Sri Lanka contingent currently participating in the South Asian Games in Nepal have been infected with dengue, while four are still hospitalized.

Dr. Lal Ekanayaka from the Institute of Sports Medicine who accompanied the team said: “We are faced with some unfortunate incidents in Nepal. We got to know that table tennis player Bimandee Bandara was suffering from dengue, hence she had to be hospitalized. Then Nadeesha Ramanayaka, M.U. Kumara and a female football player suffered from dengue and they too were hospitalized.” Dr. Lal visited Nadeesha and Kumara at Blue Cross hospital.

“We think this dengue fever came from Sri Lanka. Now 11 members of the SAG contingent are suffering from dengue. In Sri Lanka a male and female beach volleyball player suffered from dengue at first; then three others were infected and after that two athletes suffered from it. Most athletes stayed at the Sugathadasa Sports hostel and I believe that’s the origin of this dengue outbreak,” added Dr. Lal.

According to athletes, there was a huge mosquito problem in the hostel. Apart from the athletes, several others were also suffering from fever. While some have just recovered many athletes aren’t in good shape due to the illness.

With Nadeesha and Kumara out of the competition the team management had to make last minute alterations to their entries. Secretary of AASL Prema Pinnawela intervened to negotiate alternative names with the Nepal Athletics Association. Finally last morning they agreed to permit Samantha Pushpakumara to run the 10000m instead of Kumara and Amasha de Silva to compete in the 200m instead of Nadeesha. Dilshi Kumarasinghe will replace Nadeesha in the 400m event.