Kedah rugby player placed in induced coma after collapsing during game

KUALA LUMPUR: Kedah rugby player Azlan Azhari has been placed in a medically induced coma after collapsing during their Agong’s Cup group A match against Johor yesterday.

Kedah team manager Wan Asyraf Suhaimi Wan Abdul Aziz said Azlan’s condition has been critical. He was admitted to Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah in Alor Setar yesterday.

Azlan suffered serious internal bleeding and heat stroke.

“The medics were forced to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on Azlan in the ambulance on the way to the hospital,” said Wan Asyraf when contacted today.

“Azlan suffered serious internal bleeding and had to be placed in a medically induced coma at 2am this morning.

“His condition was very critical this morning but he has shown very slight improvement this afternoon.

“We are hoping that he will respond to treatment positively. He is a fighter and we pray that he will pull through, insyaAllah.”

Wan Asyraf disclosed that Azlan started to feel unwell after scoring a try in the first half of the match which was played at the Universiti Utara Malaysia campus in Sintok. Johor went on to win 40-25.

“Azlan scored a try for us about a minute before half time,” he said.

“He then said he was not feeling well but still walked towards the centre line for the restart.

“Just before the restart, he became unstable and was asked to sit down. He then collapsed and was taken to hospital.”

The Malaysian rugby community expressed their support for Azlan, wishing that he makes a full recovery.

Johor Rugby Union (JRU) has contributed RM1,000 to Azlan’s family in a show of support.

“The entire Johor Tigers and Johor Rugby family prays that Azlan, who is currently receiving treatment, makes a full recovery,” said JRU in a Facebook post.

“We are competitors on the field but off the pitch we are family.”

The other Agong’s Cup matches yesterday saw Armed Forces edging Putrajaya 23-19 (group A) while Kelantan eased to a 24-5 win over Kuala Lumpur (group B).

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المصدر: New Straits Times