of footballer dollah kassim collapses while playing in veterans match

Footballer Dollah Kassim collapses while playing in veterans match: Football legend Dollah Kassim collapsed during a football match at Jalan Besar Stadium yesterday. He was warded at Tan Tock Seng Hospital where he is said to be unconscious but in a stable condition. The local football veteran, better known as the "Gelek King" because of his dribbling skills, was taking part in the Sultan of Selangor's Cup. According to sources, the doctor at the scene said it was a "cardiac event".


Dollah Kassim, local football legend and veteran [photo via Straits Times]

Local football legend Dollah Kassim was rushed to hospital last night after collapsing during the curtain raiser of the Sultan of Selangor's Cup at the Jalan Besar Stadium.

The 60-year-old former Singapore international is warded at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH), where he is understood to have undergone emergency surgery last night.

At press time, he was said to be unconscious but in a stable condition.

One of the most-loved players to have worn the No 10 shirt for Singapore, the man known as the "Gelek King" because of his dribbling skills famously won the Malaysia Cup for Singapore in 1977 after beating Penang 3-2.

Last night, Dollah played the first 10 minutes of the match between Singapore veterans and their Selangor counterparts. He looked uncomfortable on the pitch and collapsed on the sidelines after being substituted.

The veterans' game ended 1-1 at full-time, with Singapore winning 4-1 on penalties.

The doctor at the scene said it was a "cardiac event", according to sources. Paramedics had to resuscitate Dollah at the pitch side and in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.

He arrived at TTSH at 7.20pm and was sent to the Invasive Cardiac Laboratory.

At about 10pm, former Singapore international Ho Kwang Hock, a friend of the family, revealed that he was out of surgery and in a stable condition, but had yet to regain consciousness. He is in the Intensive Care Unit.

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