Published: Aug 25, 2015, 12:30 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 25, 2015, 12:30 PM (IST)
The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) have decided to discuss medical facilities needed for players on and off the field in the next managing committee meeting, after a Kanga League cricketer suffered heart attack while playing on Sunday. Dahisar Sports Club’s 34-year-old Rahul Sawant suffered heart attack while his team was playing a Dr HD Kanga League match against BRD Cricket Club at Azad Maidan. It was the presence of mind of his teammates that he was immediately rushed to Bombay Hospital. According to reports in DNA, wicketkeeper-batsman Sawant, who works in a shipping form, will undergo angioplasty.
MCA joint secretary Unmesh Khanvilkar said, “This is a rare case. Normally, injuries like cuts, bruises or sprains happen while playing cricket. Hence we have appointed physios and provided first aids at various points of the grounds. But this is something which is serious and we will have to look into it.”
“We have to come out with a solution to make facilities that could deal with something like this. Other than the physios who are already there, we will try to arrange doctors who can deal with these issues. Also, we will try to arrange ambulances at each centre including gymkhanas so they can be used during emergencies,” added Khanvilkar.
Earlier on Sunday, Sawant suffered a heart attack while playing at Azad Maidan on Sunday. However, the presence of mind shown by his teammates may have saved his life as he was rushed to the Bombay Hospital. Dahisar CC captain Pravin Gogri said, “He was also feeling suffocated and could not bare the pain. We gave him water, but it didn’t help. We could not find the doctors provided by the Mumbai Cricket Association. Then we rushed him to Bombay Hospital.”
Gogri added, “The Kanga League (rule) book says there are doctors at various grounds, but we could not find one at Azad Maidan. God knows what would have happened had we reached (the hospital) late.
Gogri’s teammate said, “He doesn’t smoke or drink. He is a nice man and a good cricketer. Life is full of stress these days. Today’s youngsters lead an unhealthy life. They sleep late and have loads of stress. We have now started going back to playing Kanga League on wet wickets. This could cause injuries. The MCA should be prepared if something like this happens.”
“Sawant has spent Rs 40,000 already. Let’s hope he is out of danger. He is the only son of his parents. You never know what can happen. I am sure MCA can afford ambulances for emergency situations,” concluded Gogri.
