Former Welsh international footballer and coach Terry Yorath was among 800 people at a charity football tournament held in memory of a Risca man who died suddenly from a heart condition.
Sunday’s event was organised by the family and friends of Craig Powell, who died while working as an asbestos contractor two years ago on his 22nd birthday and aimed to raise awareness of the risks of sudden cardiac death.
He was unaware that his heart muscle was inflamed.
Mr Yorath, who is the father of television presenter Gabby Logan and a former Leeds United, Coventry City and Tottenham Hotspur player, lost his son, Daniel, aged 15, to an undetected heart condition as the pair played football together in 1992.
Daniel had a condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, but was unaware of it.
Both victims were fit, young men.
Mr Powel’s father, Mark, 42, said he hoped raising awareness at the tournament would lead to more people undergoing an electrocardiograph (ECG), which checks the functions of the heart.
“Every child from comprehensive school age should be having ECGs and all football teams should be given them,” he said.
The former Risca United player and coach added that the club plans to make the tournament an annual event.
Mr Yorath said: “It’s tremendous to see so many people here. People just aren’t aware of the risks, so it’s very important to hold events like these.”
Funds raised by entrance fees and donations will go to Cardiac Risk in the Young.
The charity raises the profile of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome and supports people who have lost relatives and friends.
