The collapse of veteran footballer William Stima during the Pacific Breeze Southern Region Soccer League match between Talen Vision and Hwange has brought the spotlight on the need for ambulances at football matches.
Stima was unmarked when he suddenly collapsed in the middle of the first half, forcing play to be halted for 15 minutes as medics attended to him.
He was immediately rushed to Mpilo Hospital, where he received treatment before being discharged later the same day.
A Talen Vision official said there was no definitive diagnosis on Stima’s condition and the club was awaiting the results of an ECG scan to establish what could have caused the incident.
“Stima is a veteran player, having played at the top level, but he has not been diagnosed with any medical condition and we were all surprised by the incident,” the official said.
“We are happy he recovered quickly and was discharged the same day from the hospital.”
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The incident has sparked growing calls for all Southern Region Soccer League matches to have ambulances on standby to ensure players receive immediate attention from qualified medical personnel in the event of emergencies.
While most clubs have decried the cost of hiring an ambulance, which ranges between US$ 100 and US$250, officials and players say the expense pales in comparison to the value of a human life.
Talen Vision coach Lizwe Sweswe said the incident was a wake-up call for all stakeholders to ensure ambulances are available at every match, as such incidents can occur at any time.
Hwange coach Khumbulani Mbano said clubs may view the requirement as costly, but it was a necessary investment.
“We need to protect our players. Remember in such instances like the one that happened over the weekend the difference in saving and losing a life is just a few seconds,” Mbano said.
“Again we need to understand at this level we are just a rung from elite football and we have to be ready for such compliances.”
Mbano said it was up to the league to start enforcing the regulation.
Zifa Southern Region board member responsible for administration, Tizirayi Luphahla, said the league had mandated clubs to ensure the availability of ambulances, but enforcement had been lacking.
“There is a provision to have ambulances at each and every match and clubs are supposed to provide for them; however, you find that in some instances match officials don’t enforce that,” Luphahla said.
The concerns come against the backdrop of the death of Casmyn FC midfielder Trust Munenge, who collapsed and died shortly after a training session in July last year.