Tributes pour in for Saad

His calls for a review of the current physical assessment system comes a day after Al Nasr and UAE national team striker Salem Saad passed away after collapsing during a training session with his club. Saad was rushed to the neighbouring Rashid Hospital but was pronounced dead. The reason cited was cardiac arrest, and Abdullah says with tighter monitoring procedures in place, untimely deaths like the one that befell Saad, can be averted.

 "There are many examples where players have died around the world during matches and the world misses them. Safety issues were discussed at last medical conference in Zurich and how we can find the solution to preventing players from dying," Abdullah said.

 "We need more medical control and testing for the 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."

Dubai Coach Frank Pagelsdorf led the tributes to Salem Sa'ad, the Al Nasr and UAE national team striker who died of a heart attack during training late on Wednesday night.

Pagelsdorf described the 31-year-old forward as a "good human being and a person well-liked and loved at the club."

Sa'ad collapsed during a training session at Al Nasr club's Al Maktoum Stadium and was rushed to the neighbouring Rashid Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. He had joined the club from Al Shabab this season after falling out with coach Toninho Cerezo.

Pagelsdorf said Sa'ad's loss was yet to sink in.

"Nobody can believe Salem Sa'ad has died. I don't think we'll be training for a few days. After that the club will decide what must be done," Pagelsdorf said.

Work ethic

The German added that though he had spent little time with Sa'ad, he was impressed by the UAE international's work ethic and "team spirit".

"He was a very nice human being, a funny sort of guy at times, good humoured, but immensely talented, helpful, so much so that everybody loved him at this club.

"He was well-liked and loved here at Al Nasr and his death is a big blow; a big loss not just to the club, but to UAE football in general."

Yousuf Abdullah, the General Secretary of the UAE Football Association, said he has enjoyed a good relationship with the Sa'ad's because of their rich footballing history and their association with Al Shabab Club, where he once worked.

Sa'ad was one of the few players to have represented the UAE at all levels

"This was very sad news we received yesterday and we've lost a close member of our UAE footballing family," Abdullah said.

"Salem was involved with UAE football from a very tender age. He played for the U-17 and U-20 teams, the Olympic team and the national team.

"He comes from a footballing family. His brothers were part of the national team and so was his father. His father also died on the football field, so this incident is very sad — a black mark in world football.

"He showed at an early age what a [talented player] he could be. He achieved a lot with Al Shabab, helped them win the UAE league and was an integral part of the national team too and we are very upset with this loss."

Al Nasr technical committee member Humaid Al Tayer called Sa'ad's death a disaster.

He added that Al Nasr would seek a change of dates for their upcoming league matches.

"This was a disaster; Salem died in front of his friends and everybody is really sad. We will not indulge in any kind of training for the next two days and we'll take a call after that," Al Tayer said.

Achievements

UAE League: 1978, 1979, 1986

UAE President's Cup: 1985, 1986, 1989

FA Cup: 1988, 2000, 2002

Asian Club Championship: 2 appearances

1988: Qualifying Stage

1998: Withdrew in First Round

Asian Cup Winners Cup: One appearance

1993-94: First Round

UAE chief calls for stricter measures

Is there too much pressure on today’s sportsmen? What steps can be taken to prevent such tragedies from recurring? Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com