Guam national football team, in town for its 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying clash with India on November 12, on Sunday complained that its preparations had been hampered by a party at the hotel they were staying in.
The contingent from Guam, a tiny island of fewer than 2,00,000 people in the western Pacific Ocean, arrived on Saturday after a journey that involved three flights for over 24 hours.
In the evening, a poolside party began at the hotel on Richmond Road and continued late into the night. “It was like sleeping in a nightclub,” a member of the touring group said.
“The music was really loud; I measured it at almost 90dB on my phone. It went on till at least 2 a.m. We asked the hotel authorities to shut it down, but they wouldn’t. Our players were not able to sleep. These are not amateur players, and a full night’s sleep is essential for recovery.”
The party was a last-minute development, the Guam officials were told. “We had gone over a lot of details before making reservations,” another member of the contingent said. “They did not inform us of this earlier.”
Despite its size, Guam is ranked 17 places above India by FIFA. The Pacific nation, which is territory of the United States, defeated India 2-1 at home earlier this year and has seven points from five matches (Group D, AFC second round). India is yet to get off the mark.
The hotel’s public relations officer was not available for comment.
We asked the hotel authorities to shut the music down, but they didn’t. Our players were not able to sleep. These are not amateur players, and a full night’s sleep is essential for recovery.
Member of the group
