Indian hockey team hit by malaria scare

Adding to the disappointment of drawing their game against South Africa, a malaria scare on Saturday hit the Indian team after midfielder Ignace Tirkey was diagnosed as suffering from the disease.

The entire team would undergo blood tests on Sunday to determine if any of the other members are suffering from the disease, according to Indian coach Cedric D'Souza.

"Tirkey has been diagnosed as having contacted malaria and is undergoing treatment at the local hospital here," Cedric said.

Other than Tirkey, Sabu Varkey and Kanwalpreet Singh's fever are also causing alarms in the Indian camp.

India had to play South Africa without two key players -- Sabu Varkey and Kanwalpreet Singh.

Tirkey had been running fever since the time the Indian team flew into Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.

Cedric said Tirkey was getting better but some others have been complaining of intermittent fever and are feeling lethargic.

The Malaysian National Sports Institute Director, Dr Ramlan Aziz, confirmed the news of the team undergoing blood tests.