'Complained of left arm pain': Kerala expat collapses, dies of cardiac arrest after badminton session in UAE

A 43-year-old Indian expatriate from Kerala died of a cardiac arrest shortly after a routine badminton session in Ajman, just days after another Indian expat collapsed and died while playing cricket in Dubai, according to a report by Gulf News.Anwar Sadiq, a father of two who had lived in the UAE for around 15 years, had gone for his regular badminton game with friends on the night of June 17.

Complained of left arm pain during match

During the session, Anwar reportedly complained of pain in his left hand and stepped off the court to rest. Family members told Gulf News that his blood pressure appeared normal at the time.After resting for a while and having a lemon soda, he decided to head home. However, he allegedly collapsed inside his car in the parking area before he could leave.

Friends rush to help, but he could not be revived

Fellow players immediately rushed to assist him, called emergency services and attempted first aid while waiting for an ambulance.Despite their efforts, Anwar could not be revived. A death notification reportedly cited cardiac arrest as the cause of death, with the time of death recorded at 9.51 pm.

Community mourns 'quiet and well-liked' expat

Friends and neighbours remembered Anwar as a soft-spoken and respected member of the community. "He was like an elder brother to me.

Anyone who met him would instantly like him," a close acquaintance was quoted as saying by Gulf News.The large turnout at his funeral rites in both the UAE and Kerala reflected the affection people had for him, friends said.

Family suffers another heartbreak

Anwar worked as a procurement manager at a Sharjah-based company and lived in Ajman with his wife and two school-going children.The loss is particularly painful for the family as his father had also died of a heart attack while working abroad in Kuwait more than a decade ago.Community volunteers helped facilitate the repatriation of his mortal remains to Kerala, where he was buried on Friday.

Second cardiac arrest death in three days

Anwar's death comes days after 38-year-old Safwan Shanu, an Indian expatriate from Karnataka, died after suffering a heart attack while playing cricket in Dubai.Safwan had scored 46 runs, including six sixes, before suddenly collapsing at the non-striker's end during a match in Al Garhoud on Sunday morning.