Football legend Mohamed Arif (Baka) passes away

Local football legend, former national team player Mohamed Arif (Baka) has passed away while receiving treatment at ADK Hospital today.

The 38 year old former midfielder was rushed to the hospital yesterday after his health deteriorated three days after arriving in Maldives from Saudi Arabia having completed Hajj amongst the delegation who travelled on the invitation of the Saudi King.

It has been reported that he was being treated in the ICU since last night for a "high fever".

A source close to Arif told Mihaaru News that test shows he had developed a severe lung infection, and that he was taken to ADK due to weakness from the fever.

Arif, who is originally from Hithadhoo, Addu City first became recognised at the age of 19 in 2004, while he was still in IFC, a football club in his home island.

He got the name "Baka" from his former coach Mauroof Ahmed (Maatte), who named him after a foreign midfielder who played for the football club Victory.

After rising through the ranks and making his way to the national team, Baka played a major role in Maldives winning the SAFF Championship held in Maldives and Sri Lanka in 2008.

He also played as the oldest player on the national team squad, which later secured another SAFF Championship for the country in 2018.

Arif also played in the Myanmar League for KBZ FC in 2015, where the team secured second place in the league that year.

However, due to injuries and fitness issues, Arif held back from playing in the last two seasons of the Maldivian football scene's top division, stating that he was not quitting the sport entirely.

Arif last played for Club Eagles in the final qualifying match of the 2021 AFC Cup against Bangalore FC of India.

He also opened his own football academy in Dhidhhoo island of Haa Alifu atoll in 2019.