A 43-year-old Indian expatriate from Kerala died of a heart attack shortly after a routine badminton session in Ajman, days after another Indian expatriate died after collapsing unconscious while playing cricket in Dubai, according to a Gulf News report.Anwar Sadiq, a father of two who has been living in the UAE for about 15 years, had gone for his regular badminton game with friends on the night of June 17.
Complained of pain in left hand during the match
During the session, Anwar reportedly complained of pain in his left hand and walked off the court to rest. Family members told Gulf News that his blood pressure seemed normal at the time.After resting for a while and drinking lemon soda, he decided to go home. However, he reportedly collapsed inside his car in the parking area before leaving.
Friends ran to help, but could not save him
Teammates immediately ran to his aid, called emergency services and attempted first aid while waiting for the ambulance.Despite all efforts, Anwar could not be saved. A death notification reportedly listed the cause of death as cardiac arrest, with the time of death recorded as 9.51 pm.
Community mourns ‘cool and popular’ migrant
Friends and neighbors remembered Anwar as a soft-spoken and respected member of the community. “He was like an elder brother to me. Anyone who met him liked him immediately,” Gulf News quoted a close acquaintance as saying.Friends said a large number of people attended his funeral in both the UAE and Kerala, indicating people’s affection for him.
The family had to endure another sorrow
Anwar worked as a procurement manager in a Sharjah-based company and lived in Ajman with his wife and two school-going children.The loss is particularly painful for the family because his father also died of a heart attack while working abroad in Kuwait more than a decade ago.Community volunteers helped send his body back to Kerala, where he was buried on Friday.
Second death due to cardiac arrest in three days
Anwar’s death comes days after Safwan Sanu, a 38-year-old Indian expatriate from Karnataka, died of a heart attack while playing cricket in Dubai.Safwan had scored 46 runs, including six sixes, before collapsing suddenly at the non-striker’s end during a match in Al Garhoud on Sunday morning.