Chineme Martins
Nasarawa United Defender Chineme Martins who collapsed in Sunday’s NPFL match against Katsina United after a collision with an opponent has been confirmed dead. He suffered concussion and teammates tried to revive him on the pitch as no ambulance was available.
He was later rushed to the hospital where he was confirmed dead. However, teammates who volunteered information said he showed no sign of sickness or unfitness before the game thus justifying the theory that he may suffered concussion.
Medically, concussion is described as a mild injury to the brain, often resulting from a blow to the head that can cause temporary disorientation, memory loss, or unconsciousness. The immediate effect is that the person slumps. Victims are usually revived through a CPR as a first aid before oxygen is administered at the hospital.
In the case of Chineme, he was attended to by medical officers of the two clubs when he slumped but the CPR was not effective as he was crowded. Some persons used handkerchief to fan him on the turf.
He was later rushed to Dalhatu- Araf Specialist Hospital in Lafia where he was pronounced dead. Chairman of LMC, Shehu Dikko said the league regrets the passing of the young man in his prime.
“We commiserate with Nasarawa United and the immediate family of the late player”, Dikko said.
The LMC has called for a standard autopsy to establish the cause of the player’s death.
“It is hoped that the findings of the autopsy would inform subsequent measures, if any that has not been addressed by the existing standard procedure”, the LMC stated.
