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An ambassador. A soldier. A warrior.

Those were just some of the words used to describe former national footballer Akeem Adams who died on December 30, last year, in Hungary.

The body of the former T&T player returned home yesterday. Also returning to T&T was his mother Ancilla Dick-Adams and his brother Akini who both travelled to Hungary to be with Akeem after the 22-year-old suffered a massive heart attack last September.

Akeem had received a mechanical heart in one of four life-saving operations at the Városmajor Heart Clinic after suffering the heart attack at his apartment in Hungary.

Three months later, on December 28, he suffered a stroke, and died two days later with his mother and brother at his side.

“It is a joy and a relief to be home with family and friends and well wishers and everybody,” Dick-Adams told the media, yesterday, at Piarco International Airport.

“It is real sad but I have a joy here,” she said, as she touched her chest and thanked everyone for their support over the last three months.

“I know he resting comfortable with the Lord…I know that. And I thank God for the doctors by the hospital that had him for three months,” she said.

“That we could have spent (that time) with him…it was nice. He was this close, they told us and from the time we arrived he started to improve…prayers worked,” she insisted.

“This country (T&T) prayed, Budapest prayed, the whole of Hungary prayed, Europe prayed, and prayer really works. We had three wonderful months with him. He was right up and when we thought it was for us, it was for the Lord. It was not for us to be with him. I enjoyed the three months with him. It was hard and tough but enjoyable,” she added.

Akini said: “I remember him (Akeem) as great. That is all I could remember him as. It will not have anybody that could bring that joy like he did.”

Minister of Sport Anil Roberts was also at Piarco yesterday, and described Akeem as a “big player” who lived his dream.

The funeral of Akeem Adams is scheduled for Friday at 11.30 a.m. at Mahaica Oval in Point Fortin where there will be a public viewing of the body.

RELATED NEWS

Adams’ funeral service likely to take place at Mahaica Oval on Friday
ttproleague.com.


The body of former Trinidad and Tobago senior team footballer Akeem Adams is expected to arrive on Tuesday evening, while there is a tentative schedule for his funeral service at the Mahaica Oval in his home-town Point Fortin from 11.30 am on Friday.

Funeral details will be confirmed on Tuesday evening following the arrival of Akeems’ body, his mother Ancilla Dick-Adams and brother Akini Adams, all via British Airways Flight BA2159 (scheduled arrival time 6 pm).

Akeem Adams, 1991-2013, at age 22, died in Hungary on December 30 following a severe stroke a day earlier, and after months of battling a massive heart attack with the aid of a mechanical heart, since a then life saving operation in late September at the Városmajor Heart Clinic in Budapest because of the heart attack suffered on September 25.

Akeem, who played for W Connection, United Petrotrin and Central FC before joining Hungary top division club Ferencvárosi Torna Club on August 7, was a former T&T Under 17 and Under 20 World Cup player.

He made an immediate impact at Ferencvárosi and fitted perfectly into the starting lineup, which saw success for then head coach Ricardo Moniz, and was a favourite to the “Fradi” fans.

But on September 25, the sudden massive heart attack at his apartment shocked many, although his father and grandfather died in their early 50s and late 30s respectively from strokes.

After receiving the mechanic instrument that supported his vascular system, the 22 year old Akeem had further lifesaving surgeries, one of which his left leg was amputated below the knee, all while physicians were awaiting his body to become strong enough to undergo a heart transplant.

Despite of the heroic fight of Akeem, the severe stroke on December 29 determined his life a day later.

In a statement on Ferencvárosi official website on January 1, the club said: “He (Akeem Adams) was solid, serene and played in the spirit of fair-pay.

Akeem Adams became and appreciated member of Ferencvárosi Torna Club, who in the future can be looked upon as a role-model for his serenity, (humble) and steadfast playing. The Fradi-family will never forget You, Akeem Adams!”