Kerala Expat Dies of Cardiac Arrest After Badminton in Dubai
A 52-year-old Indian logistics executive died following a badminton session in Dubai, marking the third such sports-related death this year.
A 52-year-old Indian logistics executive passed away on Saturday morning, October 24, following a sudden cardiac arrest shortly after a badminton session in Dubai.
Ranjith Vijayan, a resident of Ras Al Khor, collapsed during a routine two-hour sports session at a school facility in Dubai Land. Despite the rapid intervention of trained colleagues and school security staff, who performed CPR, and the arrival of an ambulance with a doctor on board within five minutes, the veteran professional was pronounced dead upon arrival at a private hospital.
A Fitness-Conscious Professional
Vijayan, a native of Elavumthitta in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district, had called the UAE home for 26 years. He served as the General Manager for Logistics and Supply Chain at a Dubai-based engineering and industrial solutions company.
Colleagues described the deceased as a highly fitness-conscious individual, noting that he consistently underwent medical check-ups, all of which had previously returned clear results.
Family and Repatriation
Vijayan is survived by his wife, Rashmi, who resides in the UAE, and their son, Rithvik, who is currently pursuing higher education in India. His employer is currently assisting with the repatriation of his remains to Kerala, with HR and administration manager Santhosh Kumar Parayil coordinating the process.
Rising Trend of Sports-Related Deaths
This tragic incident marks the third time this year that an Indian expatriate has died following sports activities in the UAE:
- June 17: 43-year-old Anwar Sadiq from Thrissur, Kerala, died after a badminton game in Ajman.
- June 14: 38-year-old Safwan Shanu from Karnataka suffered a fatal heart attack during a cricket match in Al Garhoud, Dubai.
Medical experts suggest that several factors may contribute to such sudden cardiac events among South Asian expatriates, including:
- Genetic predisposition
- Undiagnosed cardiac conditions
- Professional stress
- Environmental heat exposure