Times news networkPanaji/Colva: Dailon Carvalho from Ambaulim, Quepem, died life after collapsing on the field of play during an inter-village football match at Dando ground, Benaulim, on Tuesday.The 26-year-old was representing his village club, United Boys of Ambaulim, as they took on Guardian Angel SC in the quarterfinals of Cana Benaulim Soccer.“Dailon collapsed towards the end of the second half. He did not clash with any other player (when he collapsed), but a few moments before the incident, he had headed the ball,” said John Fernandes, secretary, UB Ambaulim.According to police reports, Dailon attempted to head the ball while contesting for possession during the match. Moments later, he suddenly collapsed on the field, leaving players, officials, and spectators in shock. The game was halted as players and organisers rushed to his aid.The player was shifted to the South Goa district hospital for emergency medical treatment. However, doctors declared him brought dead.“There was a delay in taking the player to the hospital, definitely for more than half an hour after he collapsed on the field,” said another official.Dailon’s brother, Bradley, is a professional footballer and represented Churchill Brothers FC in the Goa Pro League last season.The on-field death of Dailon is the second instance of a footballer collapsing on the field. In 2021, 28-year-old Allister Vaz lost his life after going down injured in a melee during a match of We for Fatorda inter-ward football tournament.Dailon’s death has once again raised questions about safety measures during inter-village football matches.“If proper emergency response systems had been in place, perhaps this tragedy could have had a different outcome,” said football enthusiast Warren Alemao, who said he would file a police complaint seeking investigation into the absence of safety measures. “This tragedy demands accountability, not excuses. It is time for an independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding this incident and the failure of emergency preparedness.”The Goa Football Association (GFA) said it provides ambulances at matches organised in the top two tiers of Goan football, Goa Professional League (GPL) and the First Division League.“There are numerous inter-village football tournaments played across the state and our role is restricted to providing permissions and ensuring that only registered teams/players take part. Even the private tournament rules approved by 165 registered clubs at the general body does not make a mention of ambulances being mandatory for inter-village matches,” said a senior GFA official.
