Protect Our Children —Accountability at the Kollam District Speed Skating Championships
The Issue
We, the undersigned parents, guardians, and concerned citizens, urgently call for an independent investigation into the safety arrangements and management of the Kollam District Speed Skating Championship organised by the concerned Speed Skating Association. We demand immediate action to protect children participating in skating competitions and to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Our Children’s Safety Must Never Be Compromised
We are deeply concerned about the conditions under which the Kollam District Speed Skating Championship was conducted over the past two days. The championship involved predominantly under-18 participants, including children below the age of 14.
According to the experiences and observations of parents and participants, the event was conducted without several essential facilities and adequate emergency arrangements. These shortcomings raise serious concerns about the safety, welfare, and well-being of the children entrusted to the organisers’ care.
1. Inadequate Lighting and Essential Facilities
During the competition, adequate lighting arrangements were reportedly unavailable. This created concerns about visibility and the safe conduct of skating events, particularly when competitions could not be completed as scheduled.
Essential facilities, including adequate drinking water and proper toilet facilities, were also reportedly lacking. Such basic amenities are necessary for children participating in physically demanding sporting events.
2. Serious Concerns Regarding First Aid and Emergency Medical Assistance
Although a first-aid facility was reportedly present, it appeared to be inadequately equipped to respond to participants’ medical needs. Even basic supplies were reportedly insufficient.
On the second day of the competition, a child under the age of 14 reportedly suffered a dislocated arm. When assistance was sought from the first-aid personnel, an ice pack was not available.
An ambulance was also reportedly unavailable when emergency transport was requested. After waiting for a considerable period without the expected ambulance assistance, those present had to arrange another vehicle to take the injured child to hospital.
An injury involving a child must be treated as a serious medical emergency. The absence of basic emergency supplies and timely access to emergency transport can put a child’s health and safety at unnecessary risk.
We request that the circumstances of this incident, the medical response provided, and the arrangements for emergency transport be independently investigated.
3. Unsafe Skating Surface and Risk of Further Injuries
The competition was reportedly conducted on a hard, concrete-like surface that raised concerns about its suitability and safety for competitive skating.
Skating is a physically demanding sport in which falls can result in serious injuries. An unsuitable surface, combined with inadequate safety arrangements, can increase the risk of injury.
Parents have reported that several students sustained injuries over the two days of the competition. These reports warrant a proper investigation into the condition of the skating surface, the suitability of the venue, the safety precautions in place, and the measures taken to prevent and manage injuries.
4. Postponement and Rescheduling of Events
We understand that certain events could not be completed on the first day and were postponed to the following day, with weather conditions reportedly cited as the reason.
However, regardless of the reason for postponement, all events must be conducted only when adequate facilities, suitable conditions, and appropriate medical and emergency arrangements are in place.
Rescheduling a competition must never mean compromising the safety of participating children.
5. Duty of Care Towards Children
The overwhelming majority of participants in this championship were reportedly minors. Children participating in organised sporting activities deserve a safe environment, responsible supervision, adequate medical assistance, and prompt emergency response.
Parents entrust their children to sporting organisations with the reasonable expectation that appropriate precautions will be taken to protect them from avoidable harm.
The concerns described above raise important questions about whether sufficient safety measures were planned, implemented, and monitored before and during the championship.
We believe these concerns must be addressed through a transparent and impartial inquiry rather than being dismissed or overlooked.
OUR DEMANDS
We, the undersigned parents, guardians, and concerned citizens, respectfully but firmly demand the following actions:
1. Immediate independent investigation: The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights and the concerned district authorities must investigate the safety arrangements, reported injuries, first-aid provisions, and emergency response during the championship.
2. Investigation into the injured child’s case: The circumstances surrounding the reported dislocation of a child’s arm, the unavailability of an ice pack, the delay or unavailability of ambulance assistance, and the eventual transport to hospital must be examined.
3. Verification of reported injuries: The organisers should be directed to provide relevant records of reported injuries, first-aid treatment, medical referrals, and emergency incidents, subject to appropriate privacy protections for children.
4. Inspection of the competition venue: The skating surface, lighting, drinking-water facilities, toilet facilities, and other essential arrangements must be assessed by the appropriate authorities for their suitability and safety.
5. Review of event postponement and continuation decisions: The authorities should examine whether the decision to postpone and subsequently resume the competition was consistent with participant safety and whether adequate conditions were ensured before the events continued.
6. Mandatory medical and emergency arrangements: Future skating competitions involving children must have adequately equipped first-aid facilities, trained first-aid personnel, a clear emergency response plan, and reliable arrangements for prompt ambulance access and hospital transfer.
7. Written safety standards for future competitions: The relevant sports authorities should establish, communicate, and enforce minimum safety requirements for competitions involving minors, including venue suitability, lighting, hydration, sanitation, medical support, supervision, and emergency preparedness.
8. Accountability and corrective action: If the inquiry establishes negligence, failures to comply with applicable requirements, or other violations, appropriate action must be taken against the responsible persons or organisations in accordance with the law and applicable rules.
9. Protection of participating children: The authorities must ensure that children and parents who raise genuine safety concerns are treated fairly and are not subjected to intimidation, retaliation, or unfair treatment.
10. Written response and follow-up: The concerned authorities should acknowledge this petition, communicate the steps taken to investigate the complaints, and provide a written response regarding corrective measures.
WHY THIS MATTERS
This petition is not about opposing skating competitions or discouraging children from participating in sports. We strongly support sports, physical fitness, discipline, and the development of young athletes.
Our concern is that sporting events involving children must be organised responsibly, with safety treated as a basic requirement rather than an optional facility.
Children should not have to face avoidable risks because essential arrangements are inadequate. Parents should not have to struggle to obtain basic first aid or independently arrange transport to a hospital during an emergency at an organised sporting event.
A medal, a championship title, or the successful completion of an event can never be more important than a child’s health and safety.
We therefore call upon the Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, the District Child Protection Unit, the District Administration, and the relevant sports authorities to take these concerns seriously, conduct a fair and independent investigation, and ensure that effective corrective measures are implemented.
We request the authorities to act urgently so that every child participating in a sporting competition is treated with dignity and is provided with a reasonably safe environment and appropriate emergency support.
OUR APPEAL
We invite parents, guardians, coaches, athletes, and concerned citizens to support this petition.
By signing, we call for a proper investigation, accountability where warranted, enforceable safety standards, and meaningful protection for children participating in sporting events.
Let us work together to ensure that no child’s safety is put at risk because of inadequate arrangements at a sports competition.
Children’s safety must come first. Every time. Without exception.
Signed by: Concerned Parents, Guardians, and Citizens of Kollam District, Kerala.
Competition: Kollam District Speed Skating Championship
Organising Association: Kollam District Roller Skating Association
Venue: Amrita Vidyalayam pithiyakavu ,karunagapally
Dates of Competition: 10/10/2026,11/10/2026
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The Issue
We, the undersigned parents, guardians, and concerned citizens, urgently call for an independent investigation into the safety arrangements and management of the Kollam District Speed Skating Championship organised by the concerned Speed Skating Association. We demand immediate action to protect children participating in skating competitions and to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Our Children’s Safety Must Never Be Compromised
We are deeply concerned about the conditions under which the Kollam District Speed Skating Championship was conducted over the past two days. The championship involved predominantly under-18 participants, including children below the age of 14.
According to the experiences and observations of parents and participants, the event was conducted without several essential facilities and adequate emergency arrangements. These shortcomings raise serious concerns about the safety, welfare, and well-being of the children entrusted to the organisers’ care.
1. Inadequate Lighting and Essential Facilities
During the competition, adequate lighting arrangements were reportedly unavailable. This created concerns about visibility and the safe conduct of skating events, particularly when competitions could not be completed as scheduled.
Essential facilities, including adequate drinking water and proper toilet facilities, were also reportedly lacking. Such basic amenities are necessary for children participating in physically demanding sporting events.
2. Serious Concerns Regarding First Aid and Emergency Medical Assistance
Although a first-aid facility was reportedly present, it appeared to be inadequately equipped to respond to participants’ medical needs. Even basic supplies were reportedly insufficient.
On the second day of the competition, a child under the age of 14 reportedly suffered a dislocated arm. When assistance was sought from the first-aid personnel, an ice pack was not available.
An ambulance was also reportedly unavailable when emergency transport was requested. After waiting for a considerable period without the expected ambulance assistance, those present had to arrange another vehicle to take the injured child to hospital.
An injury involving a child must be treated as a serious medical emergency. The absence of basic emergency supplies and timely access to emergency transport can put a child’s health and safety at unnecessary risk.
We request that the circumstances of this incident, the medical response provided, and the arrangements for emergency transport be independently investigated.
3. Unsafe Skating Surface and Risk of Further Injuries
The competition was reportedly conducted on a hard, concrete-like surface that raised concerns about its suitability and safety for competitive skating.
Skating is a physically demanding sport in which falls can result in serious injuries. An unsuitable surface, combined with inadequate safety arrangements, can increase the risk of injury.
Parents have reported that several students sustained injuries over the two days of the competition. These reports warrant a proper investigation into the condition of the skating surface, the suitability of the venue, the safety precautions in place, and the measures taken to prevent and manage injuries.
4. Postponement and Rescheduling of Events
We understand that certain events could not be completed on the first day and were postponed to the following day, with weather conditions reportedly cited as the reason.
However, regardless of the reason for postponement, all events must be conducted only when adequate facilities, suitable conditions, and appropriate medical and emergency arrangements are in place.
Rescheduling a competition must never mean compromising the safety of participating children.
5. Duty of Care Towards Children
The overwhelming majority of participants in this championship were reportedly minors. Children participating in organised sporting activities deserve a safe environment, responsible supervision, adequate medical assistance, and prompt emergency response.
Parents entrust their children to sporting organisations with the reasonable expectation that appropriate precautions will be taken to protect them from avoidable harm.
The concerns described above raise important questions about whether sufficient safety measures were planned, implemented, and monitored before and during the championship.
We believe these concerns must be addressed through a transparent and impartial inquiry rather than being dismissed or overlooked.
OUR DEMANDS
We, the undersigned parents, guardians, and concerned citizens, respectfully but firmly demand the following actions:
1. Immediate independent investigation: The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights and the concerned district authorities must investigate the safety arrangements, reported injuries, first-aid provisions, and emergency response during the championship.
2. Investigation into the injured child’s case: The circumstances surrounding the reported dislocation of a child’s arm, the unavailability of an ice pack, the delay or unavailability of ambulance assistance, and the eventual transport to hospital must be examined.
3. Verification of reported injuries: The organisers should be directed to provide relevant records of reported injuries, first-aid treatment, medical referrals, and emergency incidents, subject to appropriate privacy protections for children.
4. Inspection of the competition venue: The skating surface, lighting, drinking-water facilities, toilet facilities, and other essential arrangements must be assessed by the appropriate authorities for their suitability and safety.
5. Review of event postponement and continuation decisions: The authorities should examine whether the decision to postpone and subsequently resume the competition was consistent with participant safety and whether adequate conditions were ensured before the events continued.
6. Mandatory medical and emergency arrangements: Future skating competitions involving children must have adequately equipped first-aid facilities, trained first-aid personnel, a clear emergency response plan, and reliable arrangements for prompt ambulance access and hospital transfer.
7. Written safety standards for future competitions: The relevant sports authorities should establish, communicate, and enforce minimum safety requirements for competitions involving minors, including venue suitability, lighting, hydration, sanitation, medical support, supervision, and emergency preparedness.
8. Accountability and corrective action: If the inquiry establishes negligence, failures to comply with applicable requirements, or other violations, appropriate action must be taken against the responsible persons or organisations in accordance with the law and applicable rules.
9. Protection of participating children: The authorities must ensure that children and parents who raise genuine safety concerns are treated fairly and are not subjected to intimidation, retaliation, or unfair treatment.
10. Written response and follow-up: The concerned authorities should acknowledge this petition, communicate the steps taken to investigate the complaints, and provide a written response regarding corrective measures.
WHY THIS MATTERS
This petition is not about opposing skating competitions or discouraging children from participating in sports. We strongly support sports, physical fitness, discipline, and the development of young athletes.
Our concern is that sporting events involving children must be organised responsibly, with safety treated as a basic requirement rather than an optional facility.
Children should not have to face avoidable risks because essential arrangements are inadequate. Parents should not have to struggle to obtain basic first aid or independently arrange transport to a hospital during an emergency at an organised sporting event.
A medal, a championship title, or the successful completion of an event can never be more important than a child’s health and safety.
We therefore call upon the Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, the District Child Protection Unit, the District Administration, and the relevant sports authorities to take these concerns seriously, conduct a fair and independent investigation, and ensure that effective corrective measures are implemented.
We request the authorities to act urgently so that every child participating in a sporting competition is treated with dignity and is provided with a reasonably safe environment and appropriate emergency support.
OUR APPEAL
We invite parents, guardians, coaches, athletes, and concerned citizens to support this petition.
By signing, we call for a proper investigation, accountability where warranted, enforceable safety standards, and meaningful protection for children participating in sporting events.
Let us work together to ensure that no child’s safety is put at risk because of inadequate arrangements at a sports competition.
Children’s safety must come first. Every time. Without exception.
Signed by: Concerned Parents, Guardians, and Citizens of Kollam District, Kerala.
Competition: Kollam District Speed Skating Championship
Organising Association: Kollam District Roller Skating Association
Venue: Amrita Vidyalayam pithiyakavu ,karunagapally
Dates of Competition: 10/10/2026,11/10/2026
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Petition created on 13 October 2026