Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Effort to make sports fields safer pays off
Inspired by lack of emergency services
MEET the man behind the lens who goes the extra mile for the local sports community.
As a sports photographer for more than a decade, Rashied Isaacs has seen a number of deaths, head injuries and fractures of football players on fields around the city. He started the Safer Sports Fields campaign due to the lack of emergency planning and access to health services at sports fields.
A few weeks ago, Bayview FC’s under-16 captain, Imtieyaaz Wagiet, collapsed and died during a match against Strandfontein AFC at Westridge Sports Field. Further studies showed Derek Pinn, Igshaan Spruyt, Craig Johnson, Moegamat Ruiters, Reza Salie and Ryan Rasool suffered the same fate as Imtieyaaz.
Isaacs said: “The death of Imtieyaaz Wagiet made me more determined to bring awareness and train more coaches in first-aid as part of my Safer Sports Fields programme.”
Chairman and under-16 coach of Bayview FC Mark Rodrigues described Imtieyaaz as soft-hearted and disciplined young boy.
“In my 10 years as coaching, he was the perfect captain. On an occasion when he got a red card he was so apologetic. He had soccer in his heart and lived for it,” he said.
“I wouldn’t know if Imtieyaaz would have been alive still today if there were first-aiders or paramedics at the field. There is a 50% chance that a person will be alive because of the medical equipment and medical professionals we have in this age,” Rodrigues added.
Isaacs said: “l can speak with authority on the lack of safety planning, which includes non-existence of first-aid personnel at games, no entry for emergency vehicles and no periodic inspections of spectator stands.
“I have seen it all on the sports fields: from fractures, convulsions to serious head injuries, which all went unattended most of the time. I have often put down my camera to assist as I have an intermediate life support background,” he added.
“I am very concerned as we might lose more lives on the sports field if we don’t change our attitudes, as custodians, towards safety. One untreated fracture on the field is a sign of our inability to plan as sports administrators, and let alone a death of a player.”
Isaacs’ campaign is finally getting the recognition it deserves following the death of Imtieyaaz.
“We still have a long way to go, but the programme got the necessary attention through the media and social media, with some administrators finally making it a priority for their clubs.
“I never thought the programme would get tongues wagging, but I always knew I was doing the right thing. This will make me sleep better at night,” he said.
The Mitchells Plain resident started the campaign four years ago when he partnered with an accredited company, Dunmore Training & Skills Development. They offer first-aid courses to coaches and equip them with lifesaving skills.
“The free course, under the Safer Sport Fields banner, gave the programme the kick-start it needed. Currently, the programme has delivered over 150 trained coaches with the level one first-aid skills which enables them to perform CPR, treat fractures, bandage wounds and treat basic emergencies on-site,” he said.
City executive director for safety and security Richard Bosman said: “It is the responsibility of the event organiser to provide medical support. Venues/sports fields used for regular sporting fixtures by sporting codes (football, rugby, netball, baseball, etc) are deemed to be purpose-built for the sporting activities.”
Bosman added: “In terms of Safa Competitions Uniform Rules: It is the responsibility of a home team to inform the nearest public health institution of their home game, for the institution to be on stand-by and, where possible, to have a medical practitioner or physiotherapist in attendance throughout a match.