Team doctor takes precautionary action

By David Kyei

The sudden and unfortunate events that led to passing away of Kessben FC's player, Bartholomew Yeboah, whilst in action against Liberty Professionals at their Dansoman Park has prompted the team doctor, Kwaku Boateng, to take precautionary measures to protect his players from such mishaps.

Moments before the team's training session last Wednesday, the medical officer took some minutes off the physicals program to lecture the players on his often spoken about need for the players to have a life style that positively impacts on their profession.

According to him, the intensity and exhaustive nature of the profession of football requires that the layers did things the right way and in the right balance for their success.

He told the players that all things being equal, they could only perform better if they inculcated the habit of allowing their bodies to re-generate after their difficult and energy sapping activities.

"Two important ingredients of a successful football career is for you to eat right and also have the right amount of sleep".

"It is also recommended that you take in prescribed food supplements to make up for any shortfall in your mineral intake derived from your daily eating".

"There is no denying the fact that as human beings, would like to enjoy the pleasures and trappings of your hard work. However, you should not lose sight of the fact that after everything, you would be required to deliver for yourselves, the club and the fans".

"It is at this time that you would be in big performance troubles when you over-indulge in other energy sapping activities other than your training schedules".

Finished with the energy requirements of the players, he touched on a sensitive issue that he said was dear to his heart; the need for players to report all their health problems to the doctor.

"It is a dangerous thing for any player to hide injuries and medical conditions because they want to make it into the team for the sake of bonuses".

"Hiding an injury could be spared one way or the other, but under no condition should any of you hide an ailment".

"This is not to scare you, but you risk the danger of a fatal incident when you go in to play matches when you are ill. We do not want any of you to suffer any dangerous misfortune".

"The medical team is always available so do not hesitate to call on us for immediate treatment".

Later in an interview with Kotoko Express, Dr. Boateng hinted that though he did some medicals on some of the new players, he was going to do holistic medicals on the team.

"In life, we are expected to learn from the mistakes of others and also from where others have fallen. So that we do not suffer same. It is an unfortunate mishap however, but we should be the better for it".