Indian Expat Dies of Cardiac Arrest After Badminton in Dubai
A 52-year-old logistics manager from Kerala died of cardiac arrest after playing badminton in Dubai, despite immediate medical intervention.
A 52-year-old Indian expatriate collapsed and died following a badminton session at an indoor court in Dubai Land on Saturday, October 24, 2026.
Ranjith Vijayan, a logistics manager originally from Kerala, was playing from 8 am to 10 am when the tragedy struck. As the session concluded, he reported experiencing breathing difficulties before collapsing on the court.
Despite a rapid emergency response, the veteran expatriate could not be saved. Trained co-workers and school security personnel performed immediate CPR, and an ambulance doctor arrived within five minutes of the incident. However, Vijayan was pronounced dead upon arrival at a private hospital.
A Health-Conscious Life Cut Short
Vijayan, a resident of Ras Al Khor who had lived in the UAE for 26 years, served as the general manager for logistics and supply chain at a Dubai-based engineering and industrial solutions company.
Colleagues described him as a highly health-conscious individual. He reportedly maintained a strict diet and engaged in regular medical check-ups, with no known history of heart disease prior to the incident.
Santhosh Kumar Parayil, the company's general manager for HR and administration, confirmed that efforts are currently underway to repatriate Vijayan's body to India. He is survived by his wife, Rashmi, who resides in the UAE, and his son, Rithvik, who is pursuing higher education in India.
Rising Trend of Sports-Related Deaths
This incident marks the third sudden death of an Indian expatriate related to sports activities in the UAE in 2026. Recent cases include:
- June 17: 43-year-old Anwar Sadiq, a procurement manager from Kerala, died of cardiac arrest in Ajman after a badminton session.
- June 14: 38-year-old Safwan Shanu, a businessman from Karnataka, suffered a heart attack while playing cricket in an Al Garhoud parking lot in Dubai.
Medical experts have attributed these sudden occurrences to several potential factors, including undiagnosed underlying conditions, genetic predispositions, and the high-stress nature of professional life within the Gulf region.