The sporting fraternity was plunged into mourning after two teenage girls were reportedly found dead at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) hostel in Kollam, Kerala on Thursday, 15 January 2026.
The victims, identified as 17-year-old Sandra, an athletics trainee, and 15-year-old Vyshnavi, a kabaddi player, were found hanging in their shared hostel room. The discovery was made by hostel staff around 5 am after the trainees failed to report for their mandatory morning practice session.
While the Kollam East police have registered a case of unnatural death and initiated a forensic probe, no suicide note was found at the scene, leaving the motive behind the extreme step currently unknown.
Death of Teens
The incident occurred at the SAI Water Sports Centre located near the Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium in Kollam. According to hostel authorities, the staff became concerned when Sandra and Vyshnavi did not arrive for the 5 am training session. After repeated knocks on their door went unanswered, the staff eventually forced the room open, only to find the two young girls lifeless.
Sandra hailed from Kozhikode and was a Plus Two student, while Vyshnavi was from Thiruvananthapuram and was studying in Class 10. The sudden loss of these promising athletes has sent shockwaves through their respective hometowns and the local sports community.
Witness Accounts
Preliminary reports from the police suggest that the two girls were seen together by fellow inmates late into Wednesday night. Witnesses mentioned that the duo appeared to be in normal spirits and were seen chatting before retiring to their room.
Interestingly, Vyshnavi was not the original roommate of Sandra but had reportedly decided to stay in that room for the night.
This detail has become a focal point for investigators trying to piece together the final hours leading up to the tragedy. Inmates and coaches are currently being questioned to determine if there were any recent signs of distress or academic and training-related pressure.
Police Investigation
Kollam City Police Commissioner and senior officials visited the site to oversee the collection of evidence. “We have launched a comprehensive investigation into the deaths. Currently, we are looking at all possible angles, including personal issues or pressure from within the institute,” a senior officer stated.
Forensic experts were called in to examine the room, and the mobile phones of the deceased have been seized for digital analysis. The bodies have been moved to a government medical college for a post-mortem examination, and the Sports Authority of India is expected to order an internal high-level inquiry into the security and welfare of its minor trainees.
Systemic Gaps
This tragic event has once again reignited the debate regarding the mental health of minor athletes in India’s residential training centres. While SAI centres provide world-class physical training and infrastructure, critics argue that the psychological well-being of young trainees often takes a backseat.
The rigorous schedules, distance from families, and the constant pressure to perform can create a high-stress environment. Activists are now demanding that every sports hostel must have a resident counsellor and regular mental health check-ups to identify vulnerable students who might be silently struggling with emotional burdens or bullying.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At The Logical Indian, we are deeply pained by the loss of two bright stars who had their entire lives and dreams ahead of them. This tragedy is a grim reminder that a child’s mental and emotional health is far more valuable than any medal or trophy.
We believe that our educational and sporting institutions must be sanctuaries of kindness and empathy, where children feel safe to share their struggles without fear of judgment. A high-performance culture should never come at the cost of a young life.
Also Read: Global Backlash Forces Elon Musk’s Grok to Stop Generating Undressed Images of Real People on X
