National footballer Akeem Adams, 22, had his left leg amputated last night during what was described as a life saving surgery.
Adams, who plays professionally with Hungarian first division team, Ferencvárosi, suffered a massive heart attack last month and was listed as being in critical condition.
A release posted on the team's official website, www.fradi.hu, stated: "Akeem Adams, 22-year-old player of Ferencvárosi Torna Club went through a life saving surgery this night, during which his lower left limb has been amputated due to the mortification of limb muscles.
This unfortunate event is the consequence of the player's massive heart attack suffered one and a half week ago and the complication arose due to the collapse of his circulation. This surgery prevented the immediate threat to life.
The surgery was successful, the circulation of Akeem Adams is stabilized but his condition is still dangerous, life threatening".
The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA), in a media release, listed the complication suffered by Adams as necrosis, a form of cell injury that results in the premature death of cells in living tissue.
Necrosis is caused by factors external to the cell or tissue, such as infection, toxins, or trauma and is almost always detrimental and can be fatal.
The TTFA is asking the general public to keep Adams and his family in their prayers and thoughts.
Support for Adams can be offered through purchasing the Akeem Adams Heart of a Warrior T Shirt priced at $100 and now available at all Native Spirit stores.
The TTFA also plan to donate all proceeds from the upcoming friendly international football match against New Zealand to the Akeem Adams fund.
RELATED NEWS
Appeal for support as Adams loses left leg.
T&T Express Reports.
AMPUTATED
Trinidad and Tobago senior national team goalkeeper Jan Michael Williams is appealing for public support for Trinidad and Tobago defender Akeem Adams, who had his left leg amputated In Hungary on Monday night.
On behalf of the national men’s senior team, Williams called on members of the public to show support for the ailing Adams by coming out for next Tuesday’s friendly International against New Zealand at Hasely Crawford Stadium.
The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) has pledged a portion of funds collected from purchases for the $125 section towards the “Heart of the Warrior” fund in support of the player, while “Heart of a Warrior” T-shirt priced at $100 are available at all Native Spirit stores.
Yesterday, Adams Hungarian club Ferencvárosi Torna Club announced that the 22-year-old player left-footed defender went through a fourth operation on Monday night, resulting in the loss of his lower left-leg.
“Akeem Adams, 22-year-old player of Ferencvárosi Torna Club, went through a life saving surgery this night, during which his lower left limb has been amputated due to the mortification of limb muscles,” Ferencvárosi Torna Club said.
“This unfortunate event is the consequence of the player’s massive heart attack suffered one and a half week ago and the complication arised due to the collapse of his circulation. This surgery prevented the immediate threat to life. The surgery was successful, the circulation of Akeem Adams is stabilised but his condition is still dangerous, life threatening,” Ferencvárosi Torna Club revealed on its website.
Adam’s condition was said to have worsened because of necrosis in the limb as a resulted of his artificial heart not efficiently getting blood to his extremities. Adams was fitted with the mechanical device just under a week ago to stabilise his life. But, he has not since stabilised sufficiently to undergo a further heart surgery.
Williams, is specially touched by Adams’ condition, having played alongside the defender during the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches in 2011, and also has a significant connection with Adams’ club Ferencvarosi, having been a member of the club in 2008.
“This is much more than just a football match on Tuesday,” Williams told TTFA Media. “It’s significant in many ways because we’re all putting our shirts, as players on the field of play and as supporters in the stands in support of one of our brothers who continues to fight for his life.”
“Akeem played with us in World Cup qualifiers, he represented this country at two FIFA youth World Cups and he’s been a terrific guy on and off the field. I remember when I got the news that he signed in Hungary I was encouraged because I spent some time at that same club and I know they would have been impressed by him.”
Meanwhile, orthopedic surgeon, Dr Mario John, the medical doctor attached to the Trinidad and Tobago National Under 17 team in 2007, of which Akeem Adams was a member, believes that the player’s unfortunate position must serve as a wake up call to the local sports medicine community.
John worked with the T&T Under-17s during the CONCACAF qualifiers in Jamaica and subsequently at the FIFA Under 17 World Cup in South Korea. He has called on T&T to formalise a national sports medicine program with a policy of an “access to all” through our health care system.
“It’s extremely unfortunate what has happened to Akeem. Having known him from his days as a member of the national Under-17s, he was an extremely personable and affable young man. What stands out most is his humility,” John said.
“I am not one hundred per cent on the specifics, but cardiovascular tissues is something the sports medicine community should pay close attention to. FIFA is making strides in highlighting conditions in athletes but more could always be done in terms of prevention and bringing awareness to athletes and public alike.”
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT
Fans can show their support for ailing “Soca Warrior” Adams through purchasing the Akeem Adams “Heart of a Warrior” T-shirt, priced at $100 and now available at all Native Spirit stores. Proceeds from tickets sales will also go towards the Akeem Adams “Heart of a Warrior” Foundation from purchases for the $125 section, while there will be collection points at the stadium for patrons wanting to contribute to the fund.
Tickets for the upcoming friendly international against New Zealand are also available from this evening at Kenny’s Sports Centre nationwide, All Out Sports Bar, Law 5 Sports Bar (Chaguanas), More Vino (Woodbrook and San Fernando), Fan Club Movietowne PoS and Gulf City and Tobago FA Offices, Fairfield Complex, Tobago. Proceeds from this game will go towards the Akeem Adams fund.