adminHarare Bureau
A FIFA medical emergency expert Ephraim Kramer has been appointed to facilitate a two-day Football Medical Emergency and Anti-Doping Workshop set for the Zifa Village in Mt Hampden on Monday and Tuesday. Zimbabwe Sports Medicine Committee chairperson Edward Chagonda, who is also the Fifa Anti-Doping official in the country, said they have invited all the Premiership clubs’ team doctors and physiotherapists.
Chagonda said they have also extended the invitation to all the national teams’ medical staff and two doctors from each of the four regions.
“We are holding a football medical emergencies workshop at the Zifa Village.
“It’s also a Fifa Anti-Doping forum where all PSL doctors have been invited.
“So we are expecting about 40 participants to come and get the latest trends in dealing with football medical emergencies,” said Chagonda.
In 2002, a Blue Swallow striker Tawanda Elisha Chikuni collapsed and died during a Division One League match against Morningside at Manyame while Caps United player Engelbert Kahuni also died after complications on the field.
Chagonda said football medical experts have to be abreast with the latest developments in dealing with the potential tragic events.
“I think the world still remembers that Marc Vivien Foe died from such situations and there was also Fabrice Muamba who almost died but was rescued.
“Ernest Mutano also collapsed and died while jogging, so we need to be up to date in dealing with the situations,” said Chagonda.
The workshop by Kramer also comes just a few days after Fifa slapped Zimbabwe international Devon Chafa with a six-month ban after he tested positive for a prohibited substance he had unintentionally taken to cure a broken jaw.
Zifa Communication manager Xolisani Gwesela said holding the workshop was a positive step for sports medicine.
“It is imperative to note that this workshop will enlighten participants on standardised treatment protocols so that they become aware of latest developments in football medicine .
“The workshop will also help participants to improve their competence in as far as football medicine is concerned as it will thoroughly cover the hottest subject of doping and participants will be taught Doping Control Procedures.
“The participants will also be awarded the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the latest Automated Electrical Difibrirelated (AED) machine which was recently donated to Zifa by Caf,” said Gwesela.
Online Reporter
derick.khumalo