The Singapore football community was hit by tragedy today, just a month after football legend Dollah Kassim’s collapse from a heart attack.
National Football Academy Under-14 coach David Sivalingam died suddenly this evening after taking ill during a charity football game at the Indian Association.
The 51-year-old former national footballer who played for the Lions during the 80s and 90s (he was known as V. Sivalingam back then) was playing in a match to raise funds for paralysed former national and Woodlands Wellington player S. Anthonysamy. Sivalingam had also helped to organise the match.
According to a press statement by the Football Association of Singapore, Sivalingam took ill 30 minutes into the match. A doctor tended to him immediately and he was then sent to Tan Tock Seng Hospital where he died.
The official cause of his death is still unknown.
FAS president Zainudin Nordin said: “We are all devastated by the news. Our condolences and thoughts are with Sivalingam’s family during this very difficult time and we will render all neccessary assistance in their time of need.”
Sivalingam, who coached the Singapore football team for the AYG, was also the head coach preparing the Singapore team for next year’s Youth Olympic Games. He leaves behind his wife Philomena Makii and three children.
Sivalingam’s passing comes a month after Dollah Kassim collapsed from a heart attack during a friendly game before the Sultan of Selangor Cup match. Since then, Dollah has not emerged from his coma.
However, he was taken out of the Intensive Care Unit early last week.
My deepest condolences, sympathies and prayers to Sivalingam’s family.
Addendum:
David Sivalingam’s funeral is on 4 November (Wednesday). The cortege leaves at 3pm for a 3.30pm service at the Church of the Holy Trinity in Tampines. Subsequently, it will travel to Mandai Crematorium Hall 3. The cremation is at 5pm.
Yours in sport
Singapore Sports Fan
1 Comment
November 2, 2009 at 5:24 pm
i just want to extend my condolences to his family and may find eternal rest in Jesus. My sympathy is with his son, Gerard, whom I knew in high school. RIP Mr. Siva