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Basketball player loses kidney after injury during Fiba World Cup game in Manila

The player who accidentally elbowed him during the game had been subjected to racism and harassment due to the incident

Published: Tue 5 Sep 2023, 3:56 PM

Updated: Tue 5 Sep 2023, 3:58 PM

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This was a scene during the Serbia vs South Sudan game on August 30. — AFP

This was a scene during the Serbia vs South Sudan game on August 30. — AFP

The Serbian Basketball Federation announced that forward Borisa Simanic has lost one of his kidneys as the result of an injury sustained during a World Cup game against South Sudan.

Simanic has been operated on twice in Manila, the team said. Additional complications presented themselves after the first surgery, team doctor Dragan Radovanovic said, requiring the second procedure on September 3 where the kidney was removed.


Serbia faced Lithuania in a World Cup quarterfinal today.

“It was really tough for us when we heard what happened,” Serbian forward Nikola Milutinov told reporters after the team practised on Monday. “First, we didn’t believe it was such a bad thing. It’s really affected us. We’re really praying for him that he’s going to be good as soon as possible.”

Simanic was injured with just under 2 minutes left in Serbia’s win over South Sudan on Wednesday. South Sudan’s Nuni Omot was trying to score under the basket, elbowing Simanic in that process. Simanic yelled in obvious pain, then fell to his knees a few seconds later.

'Unintentional and unfortunate'

Omot insisted he was not trying to cause an injury. And on Monday, Omot released a statement through South Sudan’s basketball federation, which called the play where Simanic got hurt “unintentional and unfortunate.”

“I am deeply saddened by the news of Simanic’s injuries,” Omot said in the statement. “As a sportsman, I firsthand understand the severity of his situation and I am deeply sorry that this happened. No player should have to go through that. I pray for Simanic’s recovery and speedy return to the court.”

The South Sudan federation said that Omot has been subjected to racism and harassment due to the incident.

"We condemn any sort of racism directed towards the player. Basketball is a sport that is recognized to bring people together rather than be used as a tool of prejudice," the federation said.

'Didn't sleep after game'

The injury has shaken the Serbian team deeply.

“We didn’t sleep after that game. We were trying to find blood for him, because he was losing a lot of blood,” Milutinov said. “It was really a tough moment for everybody. I hope this will never happen to anybody in the world.”

The team is not certain when Simanic will be released from the Manila hospital where he is being treated. Simanic scored three points in about 20 minutes off Serbia’s bench in three games during the World Cup.

(With inputs from AFP)

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