Sports Ministry opens condolence book in Baka's memory

Sports Ministry of Maldives has opened a condolence book in memory of the country's football legend and former national team midfielder Mohamed Arif (Baka), who tragically passed away last Tuesday.

In a ceremony held at the national football stadium yesterday evening to inaugurate the condolence book, the first entry was made by Sports Minister Abdulla Raafiu.

Senior members of the Olympic Committee and Football Association of Maldives (FAM), as well as coaches and colleagues who played alongside Baka also wrote heartfelt messages in the book.

Sports Ministry said that arrangements to sign the book have been made until the end of the ongoing Youth Championship football tournament at Galolhu Stadium.

The final match of the tournament will be held on Sunday night.

Baka, who was 38 and not yet retired from football, passed away while receiving treatment at ADK Hospital's ICU after his health deteriorated following his return from Hajj.

While officially not confirmed, local reports suggest he passed away from invasive meningococcal disease.

Baka started his football career at the age of 19 at Island Football Club (IFC) in 2004. In his journey, Maldives saw him as a key player in the country's national team which brought home two SAFF Championship trophies in 2008 and 2018 respectively.