Table tennis player slumps and dies in Kwara state

45-year-old Timothy Abiara died after he slumped while playing table tennis in Kwara yesterday. The deceased had been playing against another at the table tennis hall of the State Stadium Complex in Ilorin when the unfortunate incident occurred suddenly.

Though from Ogbomosho in Oyo State, NAN reports that Abiara had represented Kwara state at both the 2011 and 2012 editions of the Nationa; Sports Festival in Port Harcourt and Lagos respectively.

During the game, Abiara suddenly held onto his chest and started shouting but spectators thought he was simply reacting dramatically to a point he lost. He was later taken to the State General Hospital when it became clear he was in a critical condition, sadly, he was confirmed dead. Prior to becoming a professional tennis player, Abiara was a fashion designer. He is survived by a wife and four children.

The State Director of Sports, Tunde Kazeem, confirmed the athlete’s death, describing it as a sad and unfortunate situation. He called on other athletes to embark on regular medical check-ups. The State Commissioner for Sports, Kale Ayo, commiserated with the family of the deceased and described the incident as a pathetic one.