PHUKET: Camara Ahmed, the Phuket expat player who almost died helping the club to rise from Second Division, flew home this week in a medical airlift.
The Ivory Coast-born star collapsed on the field almost two years ago during a home victory that helped lift Phuket to the top of Second Division and promotion.
The 26-year-old's heart stopped in the ambulance on the way to a Phuket hospital's emergency ward. He lapsed into a coma. Doctors fought to save him.
Since October 2010, his recovery has been slow and poignant. He is still bed-ridden and cannot speak, although doctors say his brain works fine and he can show his emotions.
At the time of his collapse, Camara's wife had just given birth to a child he saw for the first time on arrival in the Ivory Coast this week.
A spokesperson for Phuket FC said today: ''When we told Camara he was going home, he smiled and a big tear rolled down his cheek.''
FC Phuket under former chairman Paiboon Upatising and the more recently formed Phuket FC under resorts owner Pamuke Achariyachai have paid for Camara's hospital treatment.
Two years of care have taken the cost to two million baht, plus an additional 800,000 baht at Bangkok Phuket Hospital and 200,000 baht at Vachira Phuket Hospital that the hospitals have defrayed.
The special Bangkok Phuket Hospital flight home on Wednesday involved a doctor, a nurse, and Camara's brother, who has been his prime carer on Phuket.
It came at a cost of about one million baht, some of it contributed by Phuket fans who have not forgotten Camara's collapse in a green top while playing for his island side.
A candle-lit vigil outside the hospital was the first contribution Phuket fans made, and the gifts have kept on coming. It was about a week after the on-field collapse when Camara open his eyes.
His brother came from the Ivory Coast and has been employed as a coaching assistant at FC Phuket and at Phuket FC.
Phuket will continue to compensate Camara with 50,000 baht a month for the next six months in the Ivory Coast. His brother will continue to be employed so he can support Camara and his family.
Tomorrow night Phuket takes on Saraburi FC in a vital away game, with Phuket in eleventh position and the opposition in tenth spot, three points away.
The Phuket players have problems finding training grounds when on the road. With seven matches left in the season, the Saraburi game is a must win to preserve Camara's dream of Phuket playing in Division One.
The Ivory Coast-born star collapsed on the field almost two years ago during a home victory that helped lift Phuket to the top of Second Division and promotion.
The 26-year-old's heart stopped in the ambulance on the way to a Phuket hospital's emergency ward. He lapsed into a coma. Doctors fought to save him.
Since October 2010, his recovery has been slow and poignant. He is still bed-ridden and cannot speak, although doctors say his brain works fine and he can show his emotions.
At the time of his collapse, Camara's wife had just given birth to a child he saw for the first time on arrival in the Ivory Coast this week.
A spokesperson for Phuket FC said today: ''When we told Camara he was going home, he smiled and a big tear rolled down his cheek.''
FC Phuket under former chairman Paiboon Upatising and the more recently formed Phuket FC under resorts owner Pamuke Achariyachai have paid for Camara's hospital treatment.
Two years of care have taken the cost to two million baht, plus an additional 800,000 baht at Bangkok Phuket Hospital and 200,000 baht at Vachira Phuket Hospital that the hospitals have defrayed.
The special Bangkok Phuket Hospital flight home on Wednesday involved a doctor, a nurse, and Camara's brother, who has been his prime carer on Phuket.
It came at a cost of about one million baht, some of it contributed by Phuket fans who have not forgotten Camara's collapse in a green top while playing for his island side.
A candle-lit vigil outside the hospital was the first contribution Phuket fans made, and the gifts have kept on coming. It was about a week after the on-field collapse when Camara open his eyes.
His brother came from the Ivory Coast and has been employed as a coaching assistant at FC Phuket and at Phuket FC.
Phuket will continue to compensate Camara with 50,000 baht a month for the next six months in the Ivory Coast. His brother will continue to be employed so he can support Camara and his family.
Tomorrow night Phuket takes on Saraburi FC in a vital away game, with Phuket in eleventh position and the opposition in tenth spot, three points away.
The Phuket players have problems finding training grounds when on the road. With seven matches left in the season, the Saraburi game is a must win to preserve Camara's dream of Phuket playing in Division One.
What a poignant story. I remember reading about this when it happened and had never known what became of this unfortunate player. Sad that he's still got a long road to recovery but I'm impressed with all the help he's been given along the way. Carry on Camara, I wish you and your family well!
Posted by Lana on September 23, 2012 17:42