Malaysian player died en route to FIBA Asia Championship

The Malaysian national basketball team will carry tragedy into the FIBA Asia Championship, after one of their roster, 25-year-old Jack Ng Kiat Kee, passed away in China on Sunday, Malaysia's national news agency Bernama, reported.

The 6'5" center collapsed on the bench while playing in an invitational tournament, as part of the country's preparations for the regional tiff, Malaysian Basketball Association (MABA) secretary-general Chey Tat Woon confirmed to Bernama.

Local daily The Star added that the player died of "heart failure" two hours after the incident as doctors failed to revive him.

Kiat Kee has yet to be replaced in his team's roster, as of posting, according to the FIBA Asia website.

Malaysia's National Sports Institute chief executive officer Datuk Dr Ramlan Abdul Aziz told The Star, "The basketball team have a good medical record and they always did their check-up on time. That is why I believe that there is no negligence involved.

"It's just unfortunate and sad because sometimes athletes themselves are unaware that they have a cardiovascular problem. Even if they undergo proper examinations, there is still a chance that it may go undetected."

The Star's report also pointed out that in October 2011, Khoo Beng Kai, a member of Malaysia's national bowling team, had also died of a heart attack.

The FIBA Asia Championship is set to start on August 1, with Malaysia in Group C with China, Korea, and Iran. - Roehl Niño Bautista / AMD, GMA News

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