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DEXTER Skeene, CEO of the Digicel Pro League, says he is unsure of whether the mandatory ambulances at league games have the necessary equipment to deal with players suffering cardiac arrests during games.

Although quite rare, there have been instances around the world where players have collapsed on the field as a result of a heart attack.

The most notable case was last year when Fabrice Muamba of Bolton Wanderers had a cardiac arrest during a FA Cup game against Tottenham Hotspur in England. A cardiologist in the stands watching the game came to Muamba’s assistance while official medical personnel at the game treated him.

The Democratic Republic of Congo player did not have a heartbeat for 78 minutes but after numerous defribillator shocks his heart began beating again and he survived.

Skeene spoke to Newsday yesterday amid the heartbreaking news on Wednesday that 22-year-old TT player Akeem Adams suffered a heart attack. “We have ambulances available at each game. I can’t say offhand whether they have (defribillators) but it’s something I have to find out,” he said.

Skeene revealed that it is the responsibility of home teams to organise the medical personnel for each game hosted and they are fined if they fail to do so.

Asked whether Pro League games will kick-off if for whatever reason ambulances are not present, Skeen said no.

But speaking to Stuart Charles-Fevrier, longstanding coach of W Connection, revealed that although seldom, there have been instances where games have proceeded without ambulances present.

In a short interview with Newsday yesterday, Dr Don Antonio Martin of the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, revealed that cardiac arrests in athletes can be as a result of several factors including abnormal heart rhythms, structural heart abnormalities and usage of supplements and drugs.

Quizzed whether there is any drug testing done by the Pro League, Skeene said, “No, there is none. It’s something that has been discussed.

It’s something the board has talked about but resources to do it have been a problem. It is important but the resources to do it aren’t available.

Commenting on the issue, Charles-Fevrier revealed that his club carries out their own testing and do not condone the usage of any performance enhancers or illegal drugs. He believes, however, that drug testing should be mandated by the league and be compulsory.