Singapore Sports School Reveals More Info About Student’s Death & Fires Coach

A 14-year-old student from Singapore Sports School passed away after a fitness time trial.

However, it’s not that simple. Singapore Sports School has since revealed more about the student’s tragic death.

Hint: It’s got something to do with the student’s coach failing to check on the student’s safety and well-being—the coach has since been fired.

Here’s what you need to know.

Singapore Sports School Investigation Reveals that Student’s Death Caused By Safety Lapse

On Wednesday (11 October), Pranav Madhaik, a secondary two student-athlete from Singapore Sports School, passed away after a 400m fitness time trial. Pranav was a shuttler at the school’s badminton academy.

He had big dreams—he wanted to be an Olympic champion. Unfortunately, his premature death meant his journey to becoming an Olympic champion was cut short.

So, what exactly happened?

On Wednesday, Pranav had a fitness time trial as part of the badminton academy’s training plan. Shortly after the time trial, he felt unwell and reported this to his badminton coach—it was 6:26 pm.

The coach initially asked Pranav to rest first, given that this wasn’t the first time Pranav reported feeling unwell after a time trial—the previous time, Pranav recovered after getting some rest.

However, this time, it was different. Resting would be far from sufficient to help Pranav recover, and the badminton coach would eventually discover this, albeit some time too late.

As the badminton coach went on to review the time trial session and speak to other student-athletes, Pranav stayed at the side of the track to rest.

While Pranav rested, two other groups of student-athletes walked past but reported not having noticed anything out of the blue about Pranav.

In fact, no one noticed anything unusual with Pranav except for a track and field coach who subsequently approached Pranav.

Realising that Pranav needed medical attention, the track and field coach activated the school’s boarding staff for support and also asked another student-athlete to get water for Pranav.

At this point, you may be thinking: wait… where did the badminton coach go?

Well, he had already left the school’s premises.

Yes, you read that right. He left the school’s premises without checking on Pranav’s well-being, per safety protocols.

Pranav couldn’t stand even with the support of his fellow student-athletes. Fortunately, an ambulance arrived at about 7:02 pm and Pranav was subsequently taken to the National University Hospital.

He was accompanied by his badminton coach, who returned to the school premises, presumably after receiving news on the 14-year-old’s condition.

14-Year-Old Had Cardiac Arrest 

Regardless, Pranav’s fate was already sealed.

While he was warded and given medical care, Pranav eventually passed due to cardiac arrest with an antecedent cause of congenital malformation of coronary vessels.

Huh? Gong simi?

It just means that the 14-year-old’s cardiac arrest resulted from a malformation of his coronary vessels.

It’s an unfortunate series of events. However, perhaps Pranav could have survived if the badminton coach had been more diligent with safety protocols.

Badminton Coach Fired; Safety Protocols Under Review

Singapore Sports School has since fired the badminton coach for his negligence, although the coach’s identity is unclear.

Safety protocols at the school are also being reviewed. The school has also since met with Pranav’s parents.

You can read more about Pranav here.