The father of international footballer Theyab Awana, who died on Sunday when the car he was driving crashed into a stationary lorry on the Eastern Road near Sheikh Zayed Bridge, has urged motorists not to use BlackBerry smartphones or other mobile devices while driving.
Theyab Awana: a talented footballer who had ambition to become UAE's best
Former managers and officials paint a picture of Awana, a key member of the UAE's 'Golden Generation'.
For safety's sake
don't text while driving.
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The shock
of learning the death of talented athletes never lessens.
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Theyab Awana
dies in car accident near Abu Dhabi.
[ Read article ]
In pictures:
Theyab Awana for club and country.
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Awana Ahmad Al Mosabi said yesterday that he believes his son, who gained international stardom for scoring with a back-heel penalty against Lebanon in July, was sending messages on his BlackBerry when he hit the lorry. Although police would not confirm Awana was sending messages when the accident happened, they said that appeared to be the case.
Mr Al Mosabi said he believed that his son, who was 21, was not watching the road at the time of the accident.
"There were no skid marks on the road, and Theyab's friend who was driving behind him said he didn't see Theyab brake before crashing into the lorry," Mr Al Mosabi said. "We are not certain that he was using his BlackBerry, but that's what everything indicates. Too many people are texting while driving, so I ask all drivers not to use their mobile phones or other electronics while driving."
Mr Al Mosabi was speaking from the funeral tent that had been erected in Al Rahba to receive well-wishers. He spoke of the last time he and his son spoke, a short time before he was killed.
"Theyab was in Al Ain to see the national team's doctor to get advice on the shoulder he injured when playing in Australia," Mr Al Mosabi said.
"He called me afterwards and said the team doctor told him he should get treated in Germany. Then he told me he was going to see his teammates at the Baniyas Sports Club. Then he was going to Abu Dhabi for an X-ray. Then he was going to come home [to Al Rahba]. That was the last time I spoke to him."
Fawaz Awana Al Mosabi, 22, Awana's brother, was the last family member to see Awana, less than two hours before he died.
"I was just about to leave the Baniyas club when I heard Theyab's voice, and went to him," Fawaz said. "He told me that the doctor said he should get his shoulder treated in Germany, and that he was going to go and take me with him. We did everything together. He was the brother I was closest to because we are only a year apart in age.
"I was about to leave for a funeral in my sports gear and asked Theyab if I could borrow the kandura he was wearing. We exchanged clothes and he left in [teammate] Hamdan Al Kamali's car. Following him was his best friend, Ahmad Mohammed, in his BMW. He saw the crash."
Shortly after parting ways at the sports club, Fawaz said, he received a call from Mohammed, telling him that his brother had had an accident, and asking him to come to the crash scene.
"Ahmad called and said that Theyab had an accident and that I should come to where the supposed crash happened," Fawaz said. "Now Ahmad is a practical joker, he is known for it. I thought he was joking and asked him, 'Come to do what?' and hung up on him.
"He called me again and told me he was serious and that I should come. I heard in his voice that he was serious, and my heart just dropped," he said. "I drove towards the scene, still not entirely believing him, especially that I didn't see any traffic backed up or anything to indicate an accident up ahead. Then I saw the flashing lights up in the distance."
When Fawaz arrived on the scene, he ran past police to the Audi Q7 that Awana had been driving, and opened the passenger door. He saw his brother dead.
"I wish I hadn't done that," he said.
When he saw the body of his dead brother Fawaz fainted.
"The paramedics couldn't do anything for Theyab because he was already dead," Awana's father, said. "But they came to help Fawaz and took him to the hospital. He didn't wake up until after four hours."
The following day, Sheikh Saif bin Zayed and Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed joined thousands of grieving fans, footballers from four national teams and the Al Mosabi family to bury Awana at the Baniyas Graveyard, in Baniyas.
Fawaz was once again overcome by grief, and collapsed behind Sheikh Saif's car as he was preparing to leave. Sheikh Saif ran to him and helped carry him on to the Baniyas football team's bus, and spent a few minutes consoling him.
"On the bus, Sheikh Saif told me that this was God's will and he told me about what he felt when our father, Sheikh Zayed, passed away and how he felt when his brother, Sheikh Ahmad, died," Fawaz said. "He told me that Theyab's death was not mine to mourn, but the whole nation's. That brought me comfort.
"I know this is Allah's will, and I am trying to understand this but I can't. I always thought my day would come first.
"Ever since Theyab's death, I have been praying for his soul and reading the Quran for him."
[ ealghalib@thenational.ae ]
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School counsellors on mental well-being
Schools counsellors in Abu Dhabi have put a number of provisions in place to help support pupils returning to the classroom next week.
Many children will resume in-person lessons for the first time in 10 months and parents previously raised concerns about the long-term effects of distance learning.
Schools leaders and counsellors said extra support will be offered to anyone that needs it. Additionally, heads of years will be on hand to offer advice or coping mechanisms to ease any concerns.
“Anxiety this time round has really spiralled, more so than from the first lockdown at the beginning of the pandemic,” said Priya Mitchell, counsellor at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi.
“Some have got used to being at home don’t want to go back, while others are desperate to get back.
“We have seen an increase in depressive symptoms, especially with older pupils, and self-harm is starting younger.
“It is worrying and has taught us how important it is that we prioritise mental well-being.”
Ms Mitchell said she was liaising more with heads of year so they can support and offer advice to pupils if the demand is there.
The school will also carry out mental well-being checks so they can pick up on any behavioural patterns and put interventions in place to help pupils.
At Raha International School, the well-being team has provided parents with assessment surveys to see how they can support students at home to transition back to school.
“They have created a Well-being Resource Bank that parents have access to on information on various domains of mental health for students and families,” a team member said.
“Our pastoral team have been working with students to help ease the transition and reduce anxiety that [pupils] may experience after some have been nearly a year off campus.
"Special secondary tutorial classes have also focused on preparing students for their return; going over new guidelines, expectations and daily schedules.”
