ITA/SRB – Sakota leaves hospital

PESARO (Lega A) - Dusan Sakota has left a Pesaro hospital and returned home to continue his recovery from a life-threatening injury.

The Serbian player suffered a freak injury in a game against Teramo in late April, shortly after his 24th birthday, when he received a blow to the stomach.

The hit lacerated his duodenum and once in hospital, he had to be put into an induced coma following a second operation to stop internal bleeding.

Sakota has spoken about the incredible support he received while spending a month and a half in the hospital.

"Many things have happened," Sakota said.

"I want to first of all thank doctor Zingaretti for having saved my life.

"With a language issue, I have been touched by the effort of everyone to understand me.

“It is not just me but all the other patients in my ward.

"I also want to thank Piero Benelli, the Scavolini doctor who understood immediately the seriousness of my condition and that I had to go by car immediately to Pesaro to go to the hospital.”

The injury came before Scavolini traveled to Germany to take part in the EuroChallenge Final Four.

While he wants to return to the game, Sakota has a lot of other things on his mind as well.

"Basketball is my life but an experience like this one changes your priorities,” he said.

“My thoughts were focused on having my tube removed from my throat and then to be able to have a glass of water or a bit of soup.

“Basketball begins again.

“I am a stronger person through this, more mature and I take nothing for granted.

“Once I recover, I would like to return to play and with great honor I would like to do that in Pesaro.”

Sakota also revealed that he had a very special visit in the hospital.

"(Teramo player Peppe) Poeta (who was responsible for the knock) came to see me in hospital,” Sakota said.

“I was happy because I had the opportunity to tell him face to face that he had no fault in what happened and that he could be serene."

FIBA