Fabrice Muamba To Be Awarded Honorary Doctorate By University Of Bolton

Honorary Doctorate For Muamba

Footballer Fabrice Muamba is to be awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Bolton, it was announced today.

The Bolton midfielder, whose heart stopped beating for 78 minutes after he collapsed on the pitch during an FA Cup match earlier this year, will be honoured in recognition of the work of the medics who helped save him.

University vice chancellor Dr George Holmes said: "Fabrice is an exceptional young man in his own right but he will receive his honorary doctorate to celebrate and recognise the work of the teams who rushed to his aid.

"The University is developing its strength in the field of sports science and associated clinical work for elite athletes.

"There can be no better example of the work of clinicians than the emergency treatment Fabrice received."

Muamba said: "I would like to thank the University of Bolton for this award of an honorary doctorate.

"I am very humbled to accept it on behalf of all the amazing men and women who combined to save my life, the paramedics and medical teams of Bolton Wanderers and Tottenham, ambulance personnel, and of course the consultants, doctors and nurses at the London Chest Hospital. My family and I owe them all so much."

Muamba suffered a cardiac arrest while his team was playing Tottenham at White Hart Lane on 17 March.

Among those who rushed to his side was cardiologist Dr Andrew Deaner, a Tottenham fan who was watching the game from the stands and sprung into action when the footballer collapsed.

Bolton Wanderers' team doctor Jonathan Tobin and Tottenham team doctor Shabaaz Mughal were also among the medics who battled to save him as he lay on the pitch.

The 24-year-old player stunned doctors after making a miraculous recovery and was fit enough to walk out of hospital just a month after the ordeal.

Fifa's medical chief, Jiri Dvorak, said last month that the likely underlying cause of the cardiac arrest - a condition called arrhythmia - could be controlled, possibly allowing him to return to professional football.

Muamba will receive his university honour in mid-July.

Also receiving honorary doctorates at ceremonies at the university next month will be actor and playwright Ayub Khan-Din and BBC commissioning editor of religion Aaqil Ahmed.

They, Muamba and others receiving honours will meet students graduating from the Lancashire university, a spokeswoman said.

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