Young SA cricketer dies while doing fitness tests

News

Cricket365
May 10, 2016

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has heard with shock and profound sadness of the tragic passing of Lukhanya Tsiki at the age of 22 while doing fitness tests in the Eastern Cape.

Lukhanya was a student at the CSA/University of Fort Hare Academy, which is run by former Proteas fast bowler Mfuneko Ngam, where he was studying a diploma course in Marketing Management via MSC College.

He had previously represented Border Schools at the Coca-Cola Khaya Majola under-19 cricket week in 2010 and 2011 while a student at Queen’s College.

He participated in physical fitness tests with other members of the Academy on Monday, April 18, and suddenly collapsed while his group was taking a breather.

Members of the Academy Staff endeavoured to revive him before he was transferred to the Alice Hospital where he passed away later the same day from suspected heart failure.

Ngam told ESPNcricinfo: "Normally at this time of the year, guys will do fitness. On Monday, we wanted to check where the guys were with fitness.

"He was fine, he didn't have any problems, he was one of those guys who could run the yo-yo [bleep test] up to 20. He ran 17 and after he was finished, he took his shirt off and sat with his mates and coughed and collapsed.

We took him to the hospital but it was too late."

CSA Chief Executive, Haroon Lorgat, said: "This is shocking news for the entire South African Cricketing Community and on behalf of the CSA Family I extend our deepest condolences to his family, his friends and his cricketing colleagues.

"We will do everything we can to provide counselling and support to his family as well as the staff and players of the Academy who have understandably been deeply affected by this traumatic event."

Lukhanya is survived by his brothers, Khaya and Cebo, and his sister, Neliswa. Cebo represented SA Schools in 2007 and made his franchise debut for the Cape Cobras during the course of the 2015/16 season.