Mohamed Arif

Mohamed Arif
މުހައްމަދު އާރިފް
Born(1985-08-11)11 August 1985
Hithadhoo, Addu City, Maldives
Died25 June 2024(2024-06-25) (aged 38)
Malé, Maldives
Resting placeGalolhu Cemetery, Galolhu, Malé, Maldives[1]
Other namesBaka
OccupationFootballer
Height1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Association football career
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
Addu YDP
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2006 Island FC
2007 VB Sports Club
2008 Club Valencia
2009–2010 New Radiant SC
2010–2011 Victory
2011–2012 VB Sports Club
2012–2013 Club Eagles
2013–2014 Maziya
2015 Kanbawza
2016 Club Valencia
2017 Victory
2017 Maziya
2018–2019 Eagles
2019–2020 Club Green Streets
2020–2024 United Victory
International career
2008–2018 Maldives 58 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Mohamed Arif (Dhivehi: މުހައްމަދު އާރިފް; 11 August 1985 – 25 June 2024), better known by his nickname Baka, was a Maldivian professional footballer who played as a midfielder for Myanmar National league club Kanbawza Football Club and the Maldives national team.[2][3][4] Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the Maldives, he was among the most successful players in the country.

Arif began playing for Island FC at the age of 19 in 2004. During his international career, he was integral to the team's victories in the SAFF Championship, first in 2008 and again in 2018. Arif was awarded the Best Football Player of the Year in 2010. He also secured the title of Second Best Player for 2011 and Third Best Player for 2013. He received the nickname "Baka" from his former coach Mauroof Ahmed, who named him after a foreign midfielder who had previously played for Victory Sports Club.[5]

Early life

Mohamed Arif was born on 11 August 1985 in Hithadhoo in Addu.[6]

Career

Arif's football career was defined by his journey through various clubs and tournaments. He began in 2004 with Island Football Club (IFC), which later rebranded to VB Sports Club in 2006.[7] After a stint there, he moved to Club Valencia for the 2008 season of the Dhivehi League, showcasing his skills as he transitioned to New Radiant SC for the following two seasons. Returning to VB Sports Club in 2011, Arif played a pivotal role in their Dhiraagu Dhivehi League triumph that year.[citation needed]

His career path continued with brief spells at Eagles Sports Club in 2012 and Maziya Sports Club in 2013, where his performance led to a contract extension. In January 2014, Arif ventured internationally, joining Myanmar's Kanbawza Football Club (KBZ FC) in their premier division and Premier League setup, before returning to the Maldives and signing with Club Green Streets in May 2019.[8] He later moved to United Victory in September 2020, further enriching his professional experience.[9]

International

On the international stage, Arif has been a mainstay in the Maldives senior national team, known for his role as a midfielder and playmaker. His notable contributions came in the SAFF Championship, where he played a crucial part in multiple championship-winning campaigns for Maldives, including victories in 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2018.[10][11] Arif's career trajectory underscores his versatility and impact both domestically and internationally, solidifying his reputation as a significant figure in Maldivian football.[12]

Illness and death

In June 2024, Arif went to perform Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia on the invitation by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.[13] After he returned to Maldives, it is said that he contracted a viral disease during his visit when he had to be admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of ADK Hospital.[5][14][15] He died on 25 June 2024, while receiving treatment. Arif was 38.[14] His death has also caused his supporters and many people to mourn and flood with Messages of Condolences, notables being the Football Association of Maldives (FAM), Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, Maldivian Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef, and AFC President Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa.[14][16][17][18] It was later found out through documents that the cause of his death was Meningococcal disease.[15] His funeral prayer was held after Fajr prayer at Masjid Al-Sultan Muhammad Thakurufaanu Al-Auzam (Islamic Centre),[19] which was led by the Head Imam of the Islamic Centre, Sheikh Mohamed Latheef. After his funeral prayer, he was taken to be buried at Galolhu Cemetery.[1][20]

Honours

Maldives

Club Valencia

Victory Sports Club

VB Sports Club

Maziya S&RC

Individual

References

  1. ^ a b Azuhaa, Aishath (26 June 2024). "ބަކާގެ ޖަނާޒާ ބާއްވައިފި" [Baka's funeral was held]. AdduLIVE (in Divehi). Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  2. ^ Samaah, Mohamed (2 June 2017). "ބަކާގެ ކުޅުމަށް ބަލާއިރު ގައުމީ ޖާޒީ އޭނާއަށް ހައްގު ނުވޭބާ؟" [Does Baka deserve national jersey?]. Sun (in Divehi). Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  3. ^ "ޔޫވީ އަށް ގަދަ ތިނެއް ހޯދޭނެ: ބަކާ" [UV will get top three: Baka]. Mihaaru (in Divehi). 6 December 2020. Archived from the original on 6 December 2020. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  4. ^ "Arif Dismisses Segrt Claim As A Lie". boalha.mv. 13 August 2019. Archived from the original on 21 February 2024. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  5. ^ a b c Osmanagic, Ameera (25 June 2024). "Football legend Mohamed Arif (Baka) passes away". The Edition. Archived from the original on 26 June 2024. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  6. ^ "Mohamed Arif - Player Info". Data Sports Group. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  7. ^ Shamoon, Mohamed (12 March 2018). "Mohan praises Baka's performance". Sun (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 8 November 2019. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  8. ^ Shaany, Aishath (9 May 2019). "Baka leaves Club Eagles, signs with Green Streets". Raajje TV. Archived from the original on 22 May 2024. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  9. ^ Shaany, Aishath (25 September 2020). "Baka transfers to United Victory". Raajje TV. Archived from the original on 22 May 2024. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  10. ^ "Mohamed Arif". Soccerway. Archived from the original on 30 November 2022. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  11. ^ Mohamed, Shahudha (25 June 2024). "އާރިފްގެ ކުއްލި ވަކިވުން ގައުމީ ބޮޑު ހިތާމައަކަށް" [Arif's sudden death a national tragedy]. Archived from the original on 26 June 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  12. ^ Solih, Aishath Shuba (27 June 2024). "Mohamed Arif (Baka): A fundamental pillar of the golden age, a football legend". The Edition. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  13. ^ Mohamed, Naizak (25 June 2024). "Football star Baka dies amid treatment after health decline". Raajje TV. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  14. ^ a b c Zalif, Zunana (25 June 2024). "Football legend Bakaa passes away". Raajje TV. Archived from the original on 26 June 2024. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  15. ^ a b Shahzaan, Mohamed (25 June 2024). "މެނިންގޮކޯކޮލް ޑިޒީޒްގެ ޝިކާރައަކަށްވީ ބަކާ، ޖަނާޒާ ފަތިސް ނަމާދަށްފަހު" [Baka becomes victim to Meningococcal disease, funeral after Fajr prayer]. Adhadhu (in Divehi). Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  16. ^ "The President conveys condolences to the family of Late Mohamed Arif". The President's Office. 25 June 2024. Archived from the original on 26 June 2024. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  17. ^ Shahid, Malika (25 June 2024). "FAM mourns 'irreplaceable loss' of football legend Arif (Baka)". The Edition. Archived from the original on 26 June 2024. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  18. ^ "AFC offers condolences on the passing of footballer Arif". PSM News. 27 June 2024. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  19. ^ Mohamed, Shahudha (25 June 2024). "އާރިފްގެ ކަށުނަމާދު ކުރާނީ އިސްލާމީ މަރުކަޒުގައި" [Arif's funeral prayer at Islamic Centre]. Dhauru (in Divehi). Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  20. ^ Junaid, Anoof (26 June 2024). "ފުޓްބޯޅަ ތަރި މުހައްމަދު އާރިފްގެ ޖަނާޒާ: ގައުމީ ބޮޑު ހިތާމައެއް" [Football star Mohamed Arif's funeral: Mourning]. Dhauru (in Divehi). Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  21. ^ "Club Valencia - Trophies". Soccerway. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  22. ^ a b "Maldives - List of Cup Winners". RSSSF. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  23. ^ "Maldives 2010". RSSSF. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  24. ^ "Dhiraagu Dhivehi League". Football Association of Maldives. Archived from the original on 8 January 2012.
  25. ^ Rifshaan, Ali (1 November 2011). "ވީބީ އިން އެފްއޭ ކަޕް ތަށި ހިއްލާލައިފި" [VB receives FA Cup]. Sun (in Divehi). Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  26. ^ Alifulhu, Azzaam (16 February 2017). "މާޒިޔާ ޖެހިޖެހިގެން ތިން ވަަނަ ފަހަރަށް ޗެރިޓީ ޝީލްޑް އުފުލާލައިފި" [Maziya wins Charity Match three times in a row]. Mihaaru. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  27. ^ "Celebrating the best in Maldivian sport". Haveeru Daily. 31 January 2011. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016.