Vasco da Gama's young player dies on field

Herald Globe (IANS) Friday 10th February, 2012

Vasco da Gama's 14-year-old player Wendel Junio Venancio da Silva suffered what appeared to be a heart stroke during the team's under-15 football practice Thursday. Breaking into convulsions, the teenager died on the field.

Under the intense heat of Rio de Janeiro's interior city of Itaguai, the teenager suddenly collapsed only twelve minutes into the team's practice, Xinhua reported.

Despite the quick response of the club's medical staff to revive the athlete, Silva died on the field.

Vasco da Gama pledged to offer the player's family support and declared three days of mourning for the tragic and unexpected incident.