Former Santosh Trophy footballer Hamza Koya dies of COVID-19 in Kerala
Malappuram: Former Santosh Trophy Footballer, E Hamza Koya, who had tested positive for COVID-19, succumbed to the virus early Saturday at a hospital here, taking the toll due to the infection in the state to 15.
Hamsakoya (61), who had settled in Mumbai and had represented Maharashtra in SantoshTrophy matches, had returned to his home town at parappanangad here by road on May21 along with his wife,son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren aged three months and three years.
His five family members have also tested positive for the virus and are under treatment at the Manjeri medical college hospital, sources said.
Hamza Koya was also suffering from pneumonia, had acute respiratory distress syndrome and cardiac problems, and underwent Plasma Therapy on the direction of the medical board as his condition worsened,a medical bulletin said.
Malappuram District Medical Officer Dr K Sakeena said Hamsakoya's wife and son showed symptoms of Covid-19 first and were admitted to the hospital.
All possible medical care was given to the deceased, but he breathed his last early this morning, she said.
"His wife and son tested positive for the virus first in his family. Later, Hamza Koya also tested positive for the virus and had been under treatment at the medical college. His daughter-in-law and two of his grandchildren have also tested positive and are under medical observation", Dr Sakeena said.
A veteran footballer of the Malabar region, Hamsakoya had played for Maharashtra state in Santosh Trophy matches besides playing for popular football clubs, the Mohan Bagan and Mohammedan Sports Club.
The mortal remains of the deceased will be buried as per the Covid protocol, sources added.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Drone crashes near Erbil airport in northern Iraq, Al Jazeera reports
Erbil: A drone has crashed near Erbil International Airport in northern Iraq, local media reports said, as cited by Al Jazeera.
According to the reports, a large plume of smoke was seen rising from the area where the drone struck. No further details are currently available.
Al Jazeera also reported that its correspondent reported that Erbil airport, located in the Kurdish region of northern Iraq, was targeted twice as part of Iran’s response to attacks by Israel and the United States. Local reports cited by the news network added that air defences in Iraq intercepted the drone attacks.
