Tweet
Medical checks in sport...a must
ON THE SPORTING EDGE
Paul Reid
Thursday, January 14, 2010
THE death of young Arnett Gardens football player Nico Collins after training Tuesday morning is bound to send shock waves through the sporting fraternity.
News reports say 19-year-old Collins developed breathing problems following training on the sands at Cable Hut Beach in Bulls Bay, St Andrew. He died by the time he was rushed to the hospital.
The team manger Richard Bennett is quoted as saying the youngster had problems with epilepsy, but we are hearing now that Collins' family is denying this.
While we await the autopsy report, this tragedy should force a change in how we operate not just at the Premier League level but in every sport especially at the high school stage.
From football, to netball, cricket, tennis, swimming, basketball and even table tennis, the high school sporting calendar runs 12 months of the year.
The question that should be asked is what if any medical screenings are done at this level by the schools outside of tending to injuries that crop up as the season wears on?
From time to time we hear of athletes with congenital problems. The case of present West Indies captain Christopher Gayle who had a heart condition that threatened his career comes to mind.
It is commonplace to see athletes running to the sidelines at these events to take a pull on their asthma pumps but little is known if these athletes are carrying any other serious defects that could result in serious illness or even death as in the case of young Collins.
It will cost more, but from now on it should be mandatory that every high school student participating in any sport, undergo a full medical before being allowed to take part in training or even put on a uniform.
Additionally all national or regional competitions must also insist on medical screenings.
At 19 years old and no doubt apparently in great physical condition required to play at the Premier League level, no one would imagine that today Collins' family would be making preparations to bury him.
Prevention is better than cure.
Since there is no cure for death, if increased expenditure in this regard results in one life being saved it would have been worth it.
ON THE SPORTING EDGE
Paul Reid
Thursday, January 14, 2010
THE death of young Arnett Gardens football player Nico Collins after training Tuesday morning is bound to send shock waves through the sporting fraternity.
News reports say 19-year-old Collins developed breathing problems following training on the sands at Cable Hut Beach in Bulls Bay, St Andrew. He died by the time he was rushed to the hospital.
The team manger Richard Bennett is quoted as saying the youngster had problems with epilepsy, but we are hearing now that Collins' family is denying this.
While we await the autopsy report, this tragedy should force a change in how we operate not just at the Premier League level but in every sport especially at the high school stage.
From football, to netball, cricket, tennis, swimming, basketball and even table tennis, the high school sporting calendar runs 12 months of the year.
The question that should be asked is what if any medical screenings are done at this level by the schools outside of tending to injuries that crop up as the season wears on?
From time to time we hear of athletes with congenital problems. The case of present West Indies captain Christopher Gayle who had a heart condition that threatened his career comes to mind.
It is commonplace to see athletes running to the sidelines at these events to take a pull on their asthma pumps but little is known if these athletes are carrying any other serious defects that could result in serious illness or even death as in the case of young Collins.
It will cost more, but from now on it should be mandatory that every high school student participating in any sport, undergo a full medical before being allowed to take part in training or even put on a uniform.
Additionally all national or regional competitions must also insist on medical screenings.
At 19 years old and no doubt apparently in great physical condition required to play at the Premier League level, no one would imagine that today Collins' family would be making preparations to bury him.
Prevention is better than cure.
Since there is no cure for death, if increased expenditure in this regard results in one life being saved it would have been worth it.
Comment