Any time an accident or illness befalls a young athlete, there is a deep sense of “how could this have happened to one so strong?” As Trinidad and Tobago’s National footballer, Akeem Adams lies in a hospital in Budapest, Hungary, victim of a sudden heart attack, our sympathy and empathy are deeply tinged with this concern: that he is a strong young athlete, just 22 years of age, who has been playing football for his schools and then for his country since he was on the National Under 15 team in 2005.
But as tragic Adams’ heart attack has been for him, we know that young athletes, just like anyone else, can be vulnerable to a sudden illness. But being aware that such things do happen, and reading of sportsmen suffering heart attacks, can seem like faraway news until it happens to one of ours. Adams is someone we know and we have stood and cheered him and teammates on since he was a youngster.
Adams has represented his country at Under 15, Under 17, Under 20, and full International levels, and his performances on these stages, plus his local club football saw him called to Europe where he signed for FC Ferencvarosi in Hungary last summer on a one-year contract.
Adams had played several matches for Ferencvarosi, including the previous weekend, and there was no indication that he was vulnerable to a heart attack or any other problems. He had become a popular player with the fans, and the club was sitting in second place in the 16-Team league.
Adams called a club official about three hours after football practice had ended last Wednesday, saying he was feeling unwell. The official went to Adams’ home and immediately had him transferred to hospital where he underwent two emergency surgeries. Reports are that he is being kept alive via mechanical means and that he will need a heart transplant. The club immediately sent for his mother Ancilla (Adams’ father, Renwick passed away a year ago) and his younger brother Akini, who are now in Budapest at Adams’ side.
There has been an outpouring of sympathy and blood donations for Adams from Ferencvarosi supporters, and we wish to applaud these kind people for their meaningful support for one of our fallen sons. Yesterday we received reports from Hungary that Adams is aware that his mother and brother are at his side, and he has been able to squeeze his mother’s hand. We understand that a fund is being set up here at home for Adams, and we consider this a worthwhile initiative, for at this time we have no idea as to how completely Adams will recover, and what assistance may be needed when he eventually returns home.
Adams’ case may be supportable by the Marvin Lee Foundation, established some years ago when Trinidad and Tobago’s Marvin Lee was critically injured in an Under-20 Concacaf Qualifying match in what is now the Marvin Lee Stadium. Lee was confined to a wheelchair until he passed away a few years after his accident.
However, Adams is still with us, and being given the best possible care, and support. That his mother and brother are with him is important, but that he has the support of his fans as well, will make his family and friends, and all of us here at home, hopeful that he will recover fully, and soon.
Our best wishes and our prayers go out, with our gratitude to the doctors and supporters in a foreign land, for Adams and his loved ones.