Hundreds of community members, relatives and friends gathered at Al Qusais Cemetery after Asr prayers on Monday to bid farewell to Mohammed Safwan Shanu, a 38-year-old Dubai resident who collapsed during a routine cricket match.
His parents had travelled from India to attend the final rites of their son.
A native of Bhatkal in the Indian state of Karnataka, Safwan had built a life in the UAE over the past 15 years. He leaves behind his wife, three sons and a daughter born just four months ago. His elder brother lives in Dubai and is working at a private firm.
Friends said that Safwan had spent Saturday evening at Dubai’s Waterfront Market buying fish and groceries before preparing for the weekly Sunday morning cricket game, a ritual he had followed for years with close friends.
Hours later, at around 7.10am on Sunday, Safwan collapsed on the pitch while batting during the match. Players rushed to his aid and immediately called an ambulance.
“We play cricket every Sunday morning and this had become our routine for years,” said Safwan’s close friend Nabeel Karikal, who was with him on the field.
“On Saturday evening, we had gone to the Waterfront Market to buy fish and groceries. He was perfectly fine. The next morning, we even travelled together in the same car to the ground and everything was normal.”
According to Nabeel, Safwan suddenly collapsed and lost consciousness while batting. “We immediately called for an ambulance. CPR was performed and he was rushed to hospital. We later came to know that doctors had declared him dead on arrival,” he said.
The sudden death of the known cricketer in the community drew hundreds of wellwishers and friends to the funeral at Al Qusais Cemetery.
Safwan moved to Dubai nearly 15 years ago and worked for a private firm for around eight years before starting his own business. “Outside work, cricket remained one of his greatest passions,” said Nabeel.
Muniri Atiqur Rahman, leader of Nawayath community in Dubai who had known Safwan since childhood, said that the 38 year old was remembered as much for his character as for his cricketing achievements.
Safwan had been leading teams and captained for some cricket teams in the UAE and had won many player of the match and tournaments awards over the years, according to his friends. (Khaleej Times)