Death prompts calls for health tests on players

Dubai: A UAE-based cardiologist has said that heart attacks are becoming more and more common in sport. Therefore, she was not surprised that a fully-fit footballer like Salem Sa'ad collapsed and died while training.

Speaking to Gulf News a day after the UAE and Al Nasr striker died, Dr Margid Orenek called for detailed medical tests, especially in the case of sportsmen and those who trained in gyms.

"I cannot say whether the death of Salem [Sa'ad] could have been prevented. We are living in the 21st century where we have the technology and drugs to prevent and delay heart complications and save lives," she said.

Dr Orenek's views were echoed by Yousuf Abdullah, General Secretary of the UAE Football Association.

Monitoring

Abdullah called for strict monitoring measures to ensure players in the UAE Football League (UFL) were in peak physical condition. He also called for a review of the current physical assessment system in clubs.

"We need more medical control and testing of players in the future. We know this was a very unfortunate event. We have lost one of our best and most talented players. The football family is in mourning. This is a big, big loss," Abdullah said.

Sa'ad, 31, suffered a heart attack while training at his club on Wednesday night. Sa'ad came from a family of distinguished UAE footballers. Sa'ad's father, a former footballer, also died while training. His brothers Khamis and Bakhit Sa'ad are both former UAE internationals.

Sa'ad's untimely death has sent shockwaves through the UAE's footballing circles given Sa'ad's association with the game from a very young age. Having played with distinction for the U-17, U-20, Olympic and national teams, Sa'ad's untimely passing has cast a pall of gloom over his team mates and fans.

Is there too much pressure on today’s sportsmen? What steps can be taken to prevent such tragedies from recurring?