14-year-old Singapore Sports School student, feeling unwell after fitness trial, passes away in hospital

SINGAPORE: A 14-year-old student from the Singapore Sports School's badminton academy, identified as Pranav Madhaik, tragically passed away on Wednesday (11 Oct).

The school has officially confirmed this heartbreaking news, as reported by CNA.

Pranav, a secondary 2 student, had participated in a 400m fitness time trial on October 5th, after which he started feeling unwell.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) received an emergency call from the Singapore Sports School at approximately 6:50 p.m. on that day.

They immediately transported Pranav to the National University Hospital for medical attention.

Regrettably, Pranav did not survive and passed away on Wednesday.

The school has expressed its deep sorrow over Pranav's untimely demise and extended heartfelt condolences to his family.

Pranav was not only an accomplished badminton athlete but also an exceptional student who was admired for his character and dedication.

“He was cheerful and pleasant, and always maintained a positive attitude towards his training and studies, " the school told the local media.

“He was a promising youth athlete and has won several national age-group competitions. He was also well-liked by his peers, teachers and coaches.”

The school has vowed to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident, with a commitment to reviewing and enhancing safety protocols. Parents will be kept informed of the progress of these efforts.

“Our school counsellors and staff have also been rendering support to affected student-athletes, coaches, and staff during this difficult period,” the school added that its top priority is the continued well-being of its students.

As the investigation is ongoing, the Singapore Sports School said they are unable to share further details about the incident at this time.

Outpouring of grief and support

On Wednesday, the school updated its Facebook page with an all-black cover photo and a black-and-white school logo.

Many followers and fellow schoolmates have expressed their grief and offered their deepest condolences to Pranav on the school's page.

Uncle reveals "most organs not functioning" by the time the doctor attended the boy

Pranav's uncle, Mr Raj Verma, shared more details with CNA on Wednesday, revealing that the boy's parents were notified of the incident while Pranav was en route to the hospital.

Mr Verma expressed the gravity of the situation, stating, “By the time the … doctor attended (to him), most of his organs were already not functioning.”

The teenager underwent a bypass surgery and also had another operation on his leg, as explained by his uncle.

However, the efforts to save him were in vain, and, as Mr Verma stated, “And (this) morning they said ‘Okay, he’s no more’.”

In light of this tragedy, the family is seeking answers from the school regarding the circumstances surrounding the incident.

SSP's rich track record of producing champions

The Singapore Sports School has consistently attracted student-athletes in Singapore since its inception in 2004.

Diverging from the conventional educational approach, SSP customizes its academic curriculum to accommodate a student's sports training and competition commitments.

Notably, SSP has a rich track record of producing champions, such as sprinter Shanti Pereira, who clinched the gold medal in the women's 200m at the recent Asian Games in Hangzhou.

Additionally, former badminton world champion Loh Kean Yew is a testament to the success of SSP's badminton academy, often returning to the school for engaging sessions with its students.