Table tennis player slumps, dies in Ilorin

A Kwara table tennis player, Timothy Abiara, on Thursday in Ilorin slumped and died while training at the table tennis hall of the State Stadium Complex.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Abiara represented the state at both the 2011 and 2012 editions of the National Sports Festival in Port Harcourt and Lagos.

Abiara died during a game with another player, suddenly holding his chest and shouting, with those watching the game thinking he was reacting to a lost point.

He was confirmed dead at the State General Hospital, where he was rushed to.

NAN recalls that late Abiara, who hails from Ogbomoso in Oyo State, was a fashion designer by profession, and was aged 45.

He was survived by a wife and four children.

The State Commissioner for Sports, Kale Ayo, described the situation as pathetic, even as he commiserated with the family of the deceased.

Meanwhile, the remains of the 45-year-old Abiara will be laid to rest today in his house in Ilorin, according to Kwara State Director of Sports, coach Tunde Kazeem,

“It was an unfortunate incident, I think he died of heart failure. He was playing his third game when the incident happened. In fact, I was even waiting to play him. He shouted during the game, maybe due to the usual anxiety to score a point which I can’t say he got it. He suddenly held his chest and slumped.

“Those around the training venue thought it was a mere drama but after the first aid treatment failed to show any sign of improvement, he was immediately rushed to the General Hospital [Ilorin] where he later died.

“There will be a church service close to his house before interment tomorrow [today] in his house.”