New Delhi: Five COVID-19 positive hockey players have been shifted to a hospital in Bengaluru as a precautionary measure after striker Mandeep Singh was transferred to the facility following a dip in his blood oxygen level, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) said on Wednesday.

Mandeep is asymptomatic but was hospitalised at the SS Sparsh Multispeciality Hospital in Bengaluru on Monday night after his blood oxygen level dipped. Five of his teammates were also admitted to the same hospital on Tuesday.

"...the Sports Authority of India decided to shift the other five players, to SS Sparsh Multi-speciality hospital in Bengaluru on Tuesday afternoon, as a precautionary measure," the SAI said.

Mandeep, national captain Manpreet Singh, defenders Surender Kumar, Jaskaran Singh, drag-flicker Varun Kumar and goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak tested positive for COVID-19 last week after reaching Bengaluru for the national camp, which starts on August 20.

"The decision to hospitalise them was taken so as to ensure that the players were attended to at all times and could be given the best possible treatment. All six athletes are in good health and recovering well."

According to SAI, the players contracted the disease, in all probability, while travelling to Bengaluru from different parts of the country after a month-long break.

Their vitals are being checked four times everyday, the SAI stated. All six players tested COVID-19 positive during SAI's mandatory testing upon arrival in Bengaluru.

All the women players have, however, tested negative and are on track to resume training.

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Bengaluru: Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy has said there is no proposal at present to increase bus fares in the state, even if diesel prices go up.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru on Wednesday, Reddy said he was not aware of any decision to raise diesel prices and added that it would be welcome if no such hike takes place.

He said that although an increase in diesel prices would add to the financial burden of state-run transport corporations such as Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation and Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation, no discussion has been held so far regarding a revision in passenger fares.


Commenting on the recent salary revision for transport corporation employees, the minister said the government had already conveyed its decision and declined to comment on reports that some employees were dissatisfied with the announcement.

On the delay in holding elections to the Greater Bengaluru Authority, Reddy said it was natural for aspirants to feel disappointed and acknowledged that the postponement was also increasing pressure on party leaders.

He said Bengaluru’s infrastructure development since 1947 had seen substantial progress during Congress governments, but added that questions regarding the reasons for postponing the elections should be addressed to Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar.

Reddy also said he had no information regarding any power-sharing arrangement within the government, but was aware of discussions on a cabinet reshuffle.

He noted that he had travelled to New Delhi only three times in the past three years and said it would be good if the cabinet expansion takes place soon.

According to him, there had been indications that the expansion would occur after two and a half years in office, but it has already been delayed by six months.