Ace volleyball player Showkat Ahmad Dar of Bogund in Kulgam district passed away while playing volleyball match at Harnaag in Anantnag on Sunday.
As per reports a Under-20 national level volleyball player Showkat who was known as ‘Jassi’ collapsed during a one-off match between a team of top Kashmiri players and a group of players from Punjab.
He played one set and then in second set he collapsed on the field. He was immediately taken to Janglat Mandi hospital where doctors declared him brought dead due to cardiac arrest, reports said.
“It is absolute shock for me as I was also scheduled to be part of this match. But due to strike I was not able to attend the match. I got a call in evening that Showkat collapsed on the field and then was declared brought dead in hospital. I am still in shock,” said volleyball coach Muneer Aalam.
J&K State Sports Council Chief Volleyball coach, Abdul Majeed also expressed his shock and said, “I just got the news that Showkat passed away while playing match. I am not able to believe that this happened to such a budding player. We have lost a top player who had potential to achieve bigger things at national level”.
Showkat is the only Kashmir volleyball player till date who was called for the Under-20 Indian team trials by Volleyball Federation of India. Despite being of Under-20 age group, he had already represented State in three senior national championships and one youth cup.
