The Heart Institute of the Caribbean (HIC) is now a sponsor of the Jamaica Premier League. It is a partnership that will see the HIC providing cardiovascular screening to an estimated 407 footballers, coaches and managers from all 12 teams in the Jamaica Premier League for the 2021 season.
The screening valued at $14 million, will be done on an ongoing basis throughout the season under the ambit of the HIC Foundation Play Smart Programme, which is designed to screen and detect underlying cardiovascular diseases that could be potentially catastrophic for players if undetected.
The news is heartening, considering recent events at the international level where Danish and Inter-Milan midfielder Christian Erikson suffered a cardiac arrest during a match against Finland in the Euro 2021 competition.
“Cardiovascular disease is the number-one cause of death and disability across the world, including Jamaica. It could have catastrophic outcome if it goes undetected,” said Professor Ernest Madu, Chairman of The Heart Institute of the Caribbean.
“The best thing is for footballers and coaches to understand what their risks are and how to mitigate against those risks. We will not just screen the players and treat the conditions, but we will engage in preventive cardiovascular work to help them live better, healthier lives to keep them safe from cardiovascular disease.
“We will engage them through seminars for themselves, their families, their coaches and administrators so it becomes a habit in terms of living healthier lives.”
Professional Football Jamaica’s Donovan White believes this is a timely sponsorship for the 2021 season. “We believe it is the responsible thing to do, to determine, with a reasonable degree of reliability, whether our footballers are free from cardiovascular abnormalities that could increase the risk of death during training or competition,” he said.
“We are truly elated with the HIC’s decision to partner with the Jamaica Premier League in a way that will protect our players from what is a real challenge globally.”
Since 2,000, FIFA has recorded over 50 deaths related to heart failure, heart attack or cardiac arrest during play. A study by the American College of Cardiology in 2018 revealed that playing professional sports is associated with short and long-term effects on the heart, including increased cardiovascular risk.
The Heart Institute of the Caribbean and HIC Heart Hospital is Jamaica’s first Cardiovascular Hospital.
Eriksen recovery 'going well' with hope of Man Utd return before end of season
Christian Eriksen is set to step up his recovery from injury as he attempts to at least play some role in Manchester United sealing a potential treble.
The Manchester United midfielder suffered an ankle injury during the FA Cup victory over Reading in January, sparking fears that it would result in a premature end to his maiden campaign at Old Trafford.
However, the Denmark international is optimistic that he can return before United's season – which could result in further honours in the FA Cup and Europa League following their EFL Cup triumph – comes to a close
"Yeah, it is going well. I have just started being outside as you saw [on Instagram] with football boots on," he told the club website.
"And then we take it from there, that is the next step. I have been in the gym for some weeks now and now it is time to do the next rehab session outside."
"I think earlier in my career I would have taken it a lot harder than I do now.
"You learn later on that it's just part of your career. Sometimes you are lucky, sometimes you are not.
"With this one particularly, when I can't do anything myself, when somebody came on to me, the mindset is just getting back as soon as possible in a healthy, strong way and not to get any setbacks."
Zaniolo hits out at Roma for treating him as a 'capital gain'
Nicolo Zaniolo hit out at Roma for "unfulfilled promises" and treating him as a "capital gain" after he joined Galatasaray last month.
Zaniolo left the Eternal City giants to join the Turkish Super Lig leaders for a fee €16.5million early in February.
The Italy midfielder had been expected to move on during the January transfer window, but he turned down a move to Premier League strugglers Bournemouth.
Zaniolo signed a four-year deal with Galatasaray after being left out on in the cold at Roma and the 23-year-old has pointed the finger at his former club over the way he was treated.
He told the Gazzetta dello Sport: "I could talk for hours about unfulfilled promises. They [Roma] told me I was a spearhead, instead I've always been considered just a capital gain.
"For two years I was told that the new contract was ready. In January of last year I would have signed for slightly more than what I was earning, because I was fine in Rome and I knew there were problems with Financial Fair Play. After much talk I'm bored. If I have to reflect on my farewell, I think others must do it too."
Zaniolo was hurt by being called a traitor.
He added: "It's something I'm very sorry about. Roma gave me everything, thanks to Roma I won and I made my debut for the national team, my son was born there. Being labelled that way was a big blow."
Zaniolo continued: "The truth will come out. I'm just saying that I've always trained, even if not with the others."
Much was made of a supposed fall-out between Zaniolo and Jose Mourinho, but the playmaker has no problem with the Roma head coach.
"He's a great coach and a great person," Zaniolo said of his old boss. "He made me play almost always. Sure, he's used to managing star players and I wasn't [one]. I would have liked to have him in four or five years, but he gave me so much anyway."
Courtois to miss Germany friendly due to adductor injury
Thibaut Courtois will miss Belgium's friendly against Germany on Tuesday due to an adductor injury.
The Real Madrid goalkeeper withdrew from the Red Devils squad on Sunday after sustaining a minor strain.
Courtois played in the Red Devils' 3-0 victory over Sweden in their opening Euro 2024 Group F qualifying match at Friends Arena on Friday.
The former Chelsea keeper will not face Germany in Cologne, though, after returning to Madrid.
Carlo Ancelotti will be hoping Courtois is fit when Los Blancos return to action against Real Valladolid in LaLiga next Sunday.
Romelu Lukaku's hat-trick ensured Belgium started Domenico Tedesco's reign as head coach with a resounding victory over Sweden in Solna.
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
