From correspondents in Assam, India, 12:04 AM IST

The mood at the ongoing 33rd National Games took a dip Sunday when ten athletes, and three policemen escorting them, were injured as their bus overturned on its way to the Games Village in Sarsujai here.

One of the players received severe injuries and has been admitted in the Guwahati Neurological Center. Others were taken to Guwahati Medical College and Downtown Hospital.

The incident took place at around 1 p.m. when the players representing Andhra Pradesh and the Services Sports Control Board (SSCB) were on their way to the Games Village from Deepar Beel, the venue of the rowing competition, for a lunch break.

'The players were on their way to have lunch but their bus hit the road divider and turned upside down. One of the athletes is critically injured and has been admitted to Guwahati Neurological Center. Three police constables, who were escorting the players also received injuries,' said Randeep Kumar Barua, superintendent of police (city traffic).

Services' Gurshir Singh, who was due to take part in the rowing competition, sustained a major bone fracture in his right arm, and will not be able to take part in the competitions.

'His right arm has been fractured, and is undergoing an operation,' said Dr N.C. Bora, who treated Singh.

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, who visited the injured, said that the state government would bear all the expenses of the injured players.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)