In a deeply disturbing incident, two teenage girls staying at a hostel run by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) were found hanging in their room early Thursday morning, police said.
Morning training absence raises alarm
The deceased have been identified as Sandra (17), an athletics trainee from Kozhikode district, and Vyshnavi (15), a kabaddi player from Thiruvananthapuram district.
The incident came to light around 5 am when fellow hostel inmates noticed that the two girls had not turned up for their scheduled morning training session. After repeated knocks on the door went unanswered, hostel authorities broke open the room and found both girls hanging from ceiling fans.
Police begin investigation
According to police, Vyshnavi was officially allotted a different room in the hostel but had stayed overnight in Sandra’s room on Wednesday. Other trainees had reportedly seen both girls earlier that morning, adding to the shock surrounding the incident.
Officials from Kollam East Police have registered a case and launched a detailed investigation. The exact reason behind the deaths remains unknown, and no suicide note was recovered from the room.
Statements to be recorded
Police said statements would be recorded from fellow sportspersons, hostel authorities, trainers and family members to understand the circumstances leading up to the incident. Investigators are also examining whether there were any personal, academic or training-related pressures involved.
The bodies will be handed over to the families after post-mortem examinations are completed, officials confirmed.
Shock across sporting community
The incident has sent shockwaves through the sporting community, particularly among young trainees living away from home while pursuing professional sports careers. It has also renewed conversations around mental health support, counselling mechanisms and supervision in residential sports hostels.
Authorities have not ruled out any angle and said all aspects will be examined before drawing conclusions.