Akeem Adams, the 22-year old former national defender died yesterday at 12.45 pm, at the Varomajori Heart Clinic in Budapest, Hungary.Adams' local representative Dion Sosa, advised that Adams' mother Ancilla, decided against taking her son off a life support system following initial reports of a decision to take that step earlier in the day."He went on his own. This was God's call. He is at peace now. We wish to thank all of those who offered their support to Akeem and his family. He touched us all in so many ways," said Ivan Dick, Adams' uncle.Adams suffered a massive heart attack three months ago and underwent four operations at the Varomajori Heart Clinic.He had a mechanical heart inserted, while his left leg from below the knee was amputated in September.
Minister of Sport, Anil Roberts, in extending condolences to the family, noted it was always difficult when a parent loses a son or daughter. "It was especially difficult in this case since this was a proud young man who was taken at the prime of his career."As a father, I cannot begin to imagine the grief and despair his family is feeling. Akeem was a talented young man who dedicated his life and career to the sport he loved. He stood as an example to many on how to fully utilise all the gifts and talents bestowed on him by the Creator. He even faced his final challenge with an optimistic spirit and kept the fight to the end. The people of T&T lost one of their talented sons but I have no doubt that his legacy will live on in our hearts and minds."
The Football Association also extended condolences to Akeem's family and friends. President Raymond Tim Kee said: "No words can fully express our grief and dismay on what has happened. We can only pass on all our thoughts and prayers to his family and hope they will get some strength from the outpouring of love and support from everyone over this period going back to the time that he suffered the heart attack some months ago."Everyone in our football fraternity is deeply affected by this. Not only was he a promising and dedicated footballer, but he was also a fine young man," Tim Kee said.Adams was born April 13, 1991. He entered the national program at the Under 13 level in 2004 on a squad of players prepared for the Caribbean Under 15 Championships. He later became an integral part of the National Under 17 team that defeated Jamaica at the CONCACAF qualifiers in Kingston to qualify for the 2007 FIFA Under 17 World Cup in South Korea.
Adams played in that World Cup and two years helped the National Under 20 team book a place in the 2009 Under 20 World Cup in Egypt where he also made appearances at FIFA's second biggest world tournament.His progress was consistent and he made his senior international debut on March 19, 2008 against El Salvador as a 16-year-old at the Marvin Lee Stadium. He played his final international match on January 22, 2011 against Finland at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.Adams made nine international appearances before joining Hungarian football club Ferencv�rosi TC which was his final team up to the time of his passing.