Dubai: Friends and family have paid rich tributes after a young footballer from India died while playing in Dubai on Sunday.
Mohammed Azhar, 23, who hailed from the south Indian state of Kerala, was on a visit to chase his dream of getting a job in Dubai as a videographer and editor. He collapsed and died of a cardiac arrest while playing football with his friends in the wee hours of Sunday, his brother-in-law Mohammed Shameem told Gulf News over the phone from Kerala.
“He went to Dubai just one month back,” said Shameem, who lives in Qatar along with Azhar’s father Naser Tholengal.
Though Azhar’s graduation was in BSc Computer Science, Shameem said the former was more passionate about videography. “He also loved playing football, which he had started at a young age. He was a professional player playing for local clubs in Kerala. His team has won many matches.”
Health conscious
A teetotaller, Azhar was health conscious and advised friends against having soft drinks and also about the importance of warming up before playing football, said his roommate in Dubai, Rashid K.
“He was my friend’s friend, but became my close friend in this one month. I picked him up from the airport and he lived with me and my brother. He was thrilled to know I have a friends’ group playing football every weekend,” he said.
Rashid and his group of 15 friends working in Gold Souq in Deira would board a bus to a stadium in Al Ghusais after work on Saturday. “We play from 1.30am to 3am on Sunday as we can rest on Sunday.”
Final match
Azhar scored five goals and showed no signs of sickness during his last match, said Rashid. “He even advised me to give a good massage to my leg when I said my leg was hurting. Within two minutes, he collapsed and fell on his face,” he recalled.
Realising that it was not a normal fall, his friends administered CPR and called the ambulance. “Within a few minutes, two ambulances came and the paramedics also tried their best and rushed him to a nearby hospital. But, within half an hour, doctors declared that they could not revive him.”
Shameem’s friend Ajmal Hadi, who helped with the repatriation procedures along with a group of friends and social workers, said Azhar’s body was flown home on Monday night. “He was the youngest and only brother of three sisters. His parents and sisters are devastated. Sunday was an auspicious day on account of the Prophet’s Birthday (Peace Be Upon Him) and Onam in Kerala. But they received this tragic news that day. He was supposed to attend a job interview on Monday. Many dreams have been shattered,” he said.
Deeply concerning
Meanwhile, Dr Srikanth Padmanabhan, specialist in Emergency Medicine, NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Nahda, said the recent surge in tragic sports-related deaths among young individuals is deeply concerning.
“It highlights the urgent need for increased awareness, improved safety protocols, and enhanced medical care in athletic settings. By prioritising prevention and early intervention, we can strive to protect the health and well-being of young athletes.”
Dr Padmananbhan said it is important to note that playing late at night can pose additional risks, especially when it leads to insufficient sleep. “Lack of sleep can impair cognitive function, increase the risk of injuries, and contribute to chronic health conditions. Ensuring adequate rest is crucial for athletes of all ages. Also, it is crucial to address any underlying health conditions, ensure appropriate training and equipment, and promote a culture of safety in sports. By working together, we can reduce the risk of these devastating incidents and create a healthier, safer environment for all athletes,” he added.
