68-year-old Chennaiyin FC fan suffers heart attack while returning from ISL final

If I ask you how far you will go in the name of purest love? Especially, if your preoccupation luxuriates on football?

Maybe, never miss a single match telecast on television? Or even better, catch the live hysteria from the stadium in person?

Even when the risk of suffering a severe cardiac arrest is soaring high. But this could not stop the 68-year-old A. Govindaswamy, a die-hard Chennaiyin FC fan, from witnessing several memorable nights unfold before his eyes in the stands with the team being spurred on by his support. However, on March 14, he suffered a heart attack while returning from Goa after the Indian Super League (ISL) final match.

https://twitter.com/Supermachans/status/1241048292298903554

“He is a football fanatic. The club is very close to our hearts, and we can’t think beyond football. It is a part of our everyday lives. After my father suffered a cardiac arrest for the second time, I decided to not take him to stadiums anymore. But he was adamant, given how crazy and passionate he is towards the sport. That’s how I booked the tickets for all of us in the family,” said his son, Dinesh Govindaswamy, who claims to have been associated with the club since the second season.

He was immediately rushed to Columbia Asia Referral Hospital in Yeshwanthpur under critical condition. Presently admitted in cardiac ICU, the three-time heart attack survivor is in recovery. It suffices to say that your passion for football might never amount up to the level that supermachan Govindaswamy has displayed over the years.

Also read: Bone disorder couldn’t stop this Chennaiyin FC fan from cheering for his team

He was diagnosed with ACS­-NSTEMI with cardiogenic shock upon his arrival at the hospital. His family had trouble raising funds for his treatment. “The approximate cost of the medical procedure would be around Rs. 9,65,775. The surgery has to be done in the next 10-14 days. It is very difficult for us to make arrangements for such a big amount in such a short period. Please donate to save my father,” read Dinesh’s public statement. The Chennaiyin FC and fan group Supermachans-Chennaiyin FC Fans announced the same through Twitter.

Source: Twitter / Supermachans Chennaiyin FC Fans

However, he is believed to be in a stable condition now. "Doctors advised him to have a recovery time for the next five days. He was discharged as of now. We are in my sister's home in KR Puram. He has been advised for a check up on on Friday," Dinesh announced on Twitter, on Sunday.

https://twitter.com/DineshGSwamy/status/1241614365201027073

The much-hyped ISL clash between ATK FC and Chennaiyin FC at Fatorda Stadium in Goa saw the Kolkata giants lift the trophy for a record-breaking third time following a 3-1 win against Marina Machans.

Javier Hernandez and Edu Garcia steered the way for ATK but Nerijus Valskis reduced their advantage to set up a tense end to the contest with a successful attempt in the 69th minute. However, the Jeje Lalpekhlua side clearly struggled to create clear-cut chances, while ATK restricted them to long-range efforts.

The rush of blood, the sense of breathlessness and dizzying euphorics when one's favourite football team scores a last-minute winner is no stranger to us. These sensations and feelings are nothing new for a die-hard supporter of the 'beautiful game'.

On being asked where the club went wrong in its pursuit of lifting the title, Dinesh went on, “It was a tough day for us. We played well though. But all kudos to their keeper (Arindam Bhattacharya). Of course, we were upset. The players tried everything, but I think their backline stood firm. We were expecting Chennai to lift the trophy, but I believe winning and losing is part of the game."