Tragedy As Star Player Dies At Football Scouting Exercise In Abuja

One Emmanuel Jumbo has passed away during his participation in a football scouting programme Abuja.

The Programme, which took place at the FIFA Goal Project training pitch inside Package B of the MKO Abiola national stadium in Abuja, was organised by a foremost football agent, Babawo Mohammed.

Tragedy struck on Tuesday after Jumbo, who was from Zaria, died during the screening exercise. He collapsed while playing and died on the way to a nearby hospital, Daily Trust reports.

Babawo is known for inviting some of the top football scouts and agents in Europe to ccome and hunt for young talented football players.

A member of the organising committee, who confirmed the unfortunate incident, said it took everyone by surprise.

He noted that the the programme, which started on Monday was going as planned, until calamity struck.

“We are still in shock over the incident because we didn’t see it coming. The boy was playing but suddenly fell. We tried to revive him but when we noticed it wasn’t working, we decided to rush him to hospital. Unfortunately, he couldn’t make it,” he disclosed.

The death of the player is painful, the exercise will continue and end on Thursday.

An eyewitness who spoke on condition of anonymity blamed the death of the player on absence of medics at the venue of the exercise.

“The organisers tried to help the boy but they are not medical personnel so there was nothing they could do.

“It is sad that people who organise these programmes put the lives of players at risk. Sometimes, the matches are played under the scorching sun yet you won’t see medics around.”

“Had the player received the right support, I believe his life would have been saved,” he said.

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