CANDLES wavered in the wind last night as 300 fans and admirers took part in a vigil for stricken FC Phuket football star Camara Ahmed, who still lies in a coma in a Phuket hospital cardiac unit.
Joining in the touching tribute was the Ivory Coast player's brother, who arrived on Phuket earlier in the day.
''I'd like to thank everyone for their kind thoughts and best wishes,'' Kone Lassine told the scores of people outside the Bangkok Hospital Phuket in Phuket City. ''It is my brother's dream to see Phuket play in First Division. I hope he sees that dream.''
Camara, 26, has been in a coma since collapsing from a heart attack on the field at Phuket City's Surakul Stadium after the winning goal had been scored in FC Phuket's 1-0 victory on Saturday night.
The island football team's rapid rise from a lowly position in 2009 has been largely due to good coaching and the arrival of Camara and fellow Ivory Coast professionals Diarra Ali and Nene Bi.
FC Phuket president and Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation chief Paiboon Upatising was among Phuket dignitaries and club officials who turned out last night to wish a speedy recovery for the young man, who has a new-born daughter and a wife back home.
All of FC Phuket's players turned out last night to light candles, fold good-luck paper origami birds, sign a book wishing Camara well, and join a monk in silent prayers.
Soon after the vigil, the team boarded a bus for Bangkok and their next match on Saturday night. They will not be short on inspiration.
Phuket Vigil Tonight for Stricken Football StarJoining in the touching tribute was the Ivory Coast player's brother, who arrived on Phuket earlier in the day.
''I'd like to thank everyone for their kind thoughts and best wishes,'' Kone Lassine told the scores of people outside the Bangkok Hospital Phuket in Phuket City. ''It is my brother's dream to see Phuket play in First Division. I hope he sees that dream.''
Camara, 26, has been in a coma since collapsing from a heart attack on the field at Phuket City's Surakul Stadium after the winning goal had been scored in FC Phuket's 1-0 victory on Saturday night.
The island football team's rapid rise from a lowly position in 2009 has been largely due to good coaching and the arrival of Camara and fellow Ivory Coast professionals Diarra Ali and Nene Bi.
FC Phuket president and Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation chief Paiboon Upatising was among Phuket dignitaries and club officials who turned out last night to wish a speedy recovery for the young man, who has a new-born daughter and a wife back home.
All of FC Phuket's players turned out last night to light candles, fold good-luck paper origami birds, sign a book wishing Camara well, and join a monk in silent prayers.
Soon after the vigil, the team boarded a bus for Bangkok and their next match on Saturday night. They will not be short on inspiration.
UPDATE A vigil will be held Wednesday evening after Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation chief executive Paiboon Upatising joined wellwishers for a young football star.
Phuket Vigil Tonight for Stricken Football Star
Phuket's Stricken Star in Fight of His Life: Photos
On Field Photo Album A young professional soccer player who suffered an apparent heart attack playing for FC Phuket is the father of a one month old child back home in Ivory Coast.
Phuket's Stricken Star in Fight of His Life: Photos
Phuket Expat Star in Narrow Win Over Death
Update The fairy tale of FC Phuket's rise and rise up the Thailand football tree took second place today to the real life drama of a star player who suffered an apparent heart attack.
Phuket Expat Star in Narrow Win Over Death
FC Phuket Wins, Player Collapses in 1-0 Drama
Photo Album In a night of great drama, Phuket won the game but almost lost one of its stars when a player collapsed with a suspected heart attack on the field. He is in a serious condition.
FC Phuket Wins, Player Collapses in 1-0 Drama
Great, touching article. My heart and prayers go out to the family and friends of this gifted athlete. May he recover soon and rejoin his teammates on the playing field.
Posted by Touched on November 4, 2010 18:18