NEW DELHI // An Indian football player has died after collapsing on the field during a local league game in the southern city of Bangalore.
D Venkatesh, a midfielder for A-division club Bangalore Mars, went on as substitute in the 73rd minute at the Bangalore Football Stadium and collapsed toward the end of the game against South Western Railway, local media reported.
The 28 year old was taken to the Hosmat Hospital in a three-wheel auto-rickshaw. Ambulances are rare in domestic games especially in the lower divisions of the local leagues.
Preliminary reports suggested cardiac arrest was the cause of death.
Venkatesh's death came days after Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba collapsed during an English FA Cup match against Tottenham after suffering from cardiac arrest. He was taken to London Chest Hospital and remains in intensive care.
The Times of India newspaper quoted Dr Ajith Royan of Hosmat Hospital as saying there were no external injuries and attributing the cause to "Sudden Death Syndrome".
"Maybe if he had been given oxygen or proper medical care at the time of the incident, he could have stood a chance," the newspaper quoted Royan as saying.
The All India Football Federation issued a statement confirming Venkatesh, a former junior state-level representative, had collapsed near the end of the match.
"The AIFF prays for his departed soul," the statement said. "May he rest in peace."
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