Panaji: Two players of the Indian under-19 football team escaped with hairline fractures after they panicked and jumped off a cable car ride at their team hotel in Turkey.

The players were given an off day by coach Floyd Pinto ahead of the concluding league clash against a local club side on Saturday and the young guns decided to spend time at the amusement park, attached to the team hotel. According to team sources, the players panicked when the cable car they were riding stopped midway, prompting them to jump off.

“The team physiotherapist has submitted a report to the AIFF which states that the players have hairline fractures and should need about a fortnight to recover. Thankfully, there is nothing to worry,” a senior AIFF official told TOI on Saturday.

Among those injured is India’s leading young footballer, while the other is a defender who was recently scouted and introduced to Indian Arrows.

“I have been told about the incident in Turkey with the India under-19 team and I have sought a report,” said AIFF general secretary Kushal Das.

The India under-19 team is in Turkey as part of their preparations for the AFC U-19 Championship Qualifiers later this year.

India have played two matches so far in Turkey. After a 2-1 defeat in their opening match against Oman, the India colts responded with a solitary-goal victory, thanks to Rohit Danu’s strike. They were scheduled to take on the might of Jordan in the next game but a heavy downpour meant the teams had to stay indoors.

The 2020 AFC U19 Championship Qualifiers have been scheduled to be played from November 2 in Saudi Arabia. India have been placed in Group F alongside Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. The 11 group winners and four of the best second placed teams will qualify for the main event.

