KARACHI, Jan 29 The national hockey regional qualifying round organisers and technical officials have once again displayed their inept attitude by failing to provide the medical facilities to the injured players at the ground on Tuesday.

The Quetta captain Kamran Sabir fell unconscious following a serious back injury during the second half of the match against Larkana.

Quetta officials waited for a considerable time for the stretcher and doctor but in vain as the organisers failed to arrange either a medical officer or an ambulance on the occasion.

The lack of medical facilities created panic among the Quetta officials and supporters. Kamran was finally carried off the pitch by several team officials and friends before being rushed to a nearby local hospital.

Soon after the match it was revealed that Larkana player Ashique Ali had broken his collarbone during the game and was in need of immediate medical assistance which was found lacking.

While organising secretary Gulfaraz Ahmad could not be seen at the venue, his deputies and technical officials could do nothing more than calling an ambulance at the venue.

The absence of a doctor at the venue is not only a blatant violation of rules but it can also result in an unfortunate situation in case of a serious injury to any player.

Although tournament director Javaid Iqbal was mainly responsible for medical facilities, the technical officers are also required to check the availability of doctor on duty along with a stretcher, splints and stretcher-bearers, according to FIH rules.

“The incident created panic among our players soon after Kamran was injured. They started crying when they saw him lying on the turf unconscious, fighting for breath.

“That also led to a loss of concentration by our players who conceded a goal and failed to qualify for the main round,” Quetta coach Mujahid Butt told Dawn.

“We took Kamran to the Jinnah Post-Graduate Medical Centre where doctors said he had suffered an internal injury but his condition is now stable,” he added.