A seemingly innocuous kickboxing match between two schoolmates in Dubai’s JBR area has taken a grave turn, resulting in a legal dispute after one of the teenagers was left in a coma. The incident, which occurred on November 4 last year, has stirred concerns about the supervision of youth sporting activities and the potential risks involved in such encounters.
The victim, a 17-year-old from the USA, and his 16-year-old British schoolmate engaged in a friendly kickboxing match on a sandy pitch late in the evening. Both participants were without protective headgear, setting the stage for a tragic outcome. Despite the victim’s initial success in the match, the situation took a dire turn during the fifth round when the defendant delivered a kick to the victim’s jaw, leaving him unconscious.
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Witnesses to the incident, including a Canadian friend of both parties, rushed to the victim’s aid upon realizing the severity of the situation. The victim, who regained consciousness briefly, was subsequently transported to a nearby residence before being rushed to Rashid Hospital. There, medical professionals diagnosed him with an acute subdural hematoma, necessitating emergency surgery to address the critical condition.
The victim remained in a coma for an extended period before finally being discharged from the hospital on December 15. Meanwhile, the defendant, facing charges of physical assault, spent a week in juvenile detention before being released under certain conditions, including surrendering his passport.
Despite maintaining innocence and asserting that the match was a friendly sporting event between schoolmates, the defendant now finds himself embroiled in a legal battle in Dubai Juveniles Misdemeanour Court. His lawyer, Awatif Shoqi, emphasized the absence of malicious intent in her client’s actions, framing the incident as a tragic accident among friends.
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In court proceedings, Shoqi argued that the victim, being an experienced kickboxer, voluntarily engaged in the match, absolving the defendant of legal responsibility under the principle that one cannot benefit from their own wrongdoing. She highlighted the defendant’s immediate distress and concern for his friend as evidence of his good faith, asserting that the incident lacked criminal intent or deliberate harm.
As the case awaits a verdict scheduled for March 27, it serves as a sobering reminder of the potential dangers inherent in unsupervised youth activities, prompting reflection on the need for enhanced safety measures and oversight in recreational pursuits.
