SINGAPORE: An expert panel is being formed to help the Singapore Sports School in a “thorough” review of its safety policies and protocols, following the death of a 14-year-old student-athlete who felt unwell after a fitness trial.
The review, which the school is working with the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) on, aims to identify “areas for further improvement”, said Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong.
He was responding in writing to a parliamentary question on Monday (Nov 6) from Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) Razwana Begum Abdul Rahim on the Sports School’s safety procedures, including whether its employees were appropriately trained.
The student-athlete, badminton player Pranav Madhaik, reported being unwell following a routine 400m fitness time trial on Oct 5. He was taken to the National University Hospital where he was warded and given intensive medical care, but he died on Oct 11.
According to his death certificate, the cause was cardiac arrest with antecedent cause of malformation of coronary vessels.
Pranav’s badminton coach was subsequently fired on Oct 14, for failing to account for all student-athletes and not checking on their well-being before dismissing them from training.
The Sports School has said that it is reviewing and strengthening all its safety protocols.
“Pranav’s unfortunate passing, the loss of a young life with so much potential, has been a sad occasion, and a deep shock to all of us,” said Mr Tong on Monday.
He said the Sports School has comprehensive policies and procedures in place to protect the safety and well-being of its student-athletes, to covers scenarios including medical emergencies.
As with Ministry of Education’s schools, it is subject to external safety validation and checks, and went through one in February.
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The school also checks and collects feedback from student-athletes and parents to ensure a “culture of compliance with all safety procedures and protocols”, with a whistle-blowing policy for staff to report wrongful practices involving school employees.
RELEVANT TRAINING TO ENSURE SAFETY
All Sports School coaches, general managers and boarding staff are certified in first aid, with training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and use of an automated external defibrillator or AED, according to Mr Tong.
All student-athletes and staff undergo annual refresher training sessions on emergency preparedness, including for a scenario when an individual collapses.
There are also enough AEDs in the school for emergency use, and an on-site physiotherapist from the National Youth Sports Institute can help with managing and treating injuries and recovery, said Mr Tong.
“In Pranav’s case, he did not collapse after the run and his symptoms only became more obvious over time,” the minister added. “As Pranav was conscious, breathing and had a pulse, the use of an AED was not required.”
He said the Sports School’s review will aim to strengthen existing safety policies, including in pre-admission screening, communication, implementation and supervision of protocols, and any other areas recommended by the panel.
The school aims to complete the review by the end of the year, but will also “progressively implement any improvements when ready”, said Mr Tong.
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