Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Digicel Pro League, Dexter Skeene, believes that adequate systems and protocols are in place at local games should circumstances befall players on the football field in similar fashion to Bolton Wanderers’ Fabrice Muamba who suffered a cardiac arrest last weekend while playing an FA Cup game.
Muamba was treated by medical personnel who utilised a defibrillator to restart his heart on the pitch, as well as en route to hospital.
The medical staff at the game has come in for praise for their handling of the situation with the midfielder currently recuperating in hospital.
Concerns have been raised, however, as to the standard of such medical procedures and contingency plans in Trinidad and Tobago football.
“Each team is supposed to have their medical team assigned and designated by their club. What personnel is on the team, whether cardiologist or whatever, I assume is up to the mandate of the club itself as they are charged with looking out for their players’ health,” commented Skeene.
He noted that ambulances are always present for the games and the home team is responsible for ensuring this system never wavers.
When asked what equipment would be contained in the ambulance, the Pro League boss expressed some uncertainty but alluded - “The medical personnel would be tasked with ensuring the safety of footballers should unfortunate events happen and there are stretchers on board.
I assume they would have the relevant equipment to handle the situation delicately, rapidly yet responsibly. I cannot say for certain in what the paramedics possess but I have faith that the medical personnel are all readily prepared”
The presence of defibrillators and oxygen masks were not confirmed as readily available at the games. Skeene did not confirm if the current system in place was set by the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs.
Meanwhile, Dexter Skeene is expecting the best of the national players at the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifiers in the United States.
The Trinidad and Tobago Under-23 squad, under the tutelage of Angus Eve, will commence their Group “B” campaign against Mexico today, at the Home Depot Center, Carson, California.
“It’s a difficult game as any international game,” said Skeene yesterday. “Mexico, I think, are the number one ranked team in the region. We have nothing to lose. I would encourage the players to give off their best and that’s the most we can ask for.”
On Sunday, the TT Under-23 outfit will face Panama while, on Tuesday, they will meet Honduras.
The top two teams of the group will advance to the semi-final round, with the finalists advancing to the 2012 London Olympics. Skeene also expects the national players to use this tournament to continue their growth as the next breed of TT ‘senior’ players.
“I think the exposure the Under-23 team has gotten is necessary for the development of the young players,” said Skeene.
“We, at the Pro League, believe in the young talent that we have and that they’re competitive at the national level. It’s just a matter for them to continually play against (those teams) to get the exposure at the international level. We’re doing something right to enable them to perform,” he added.