Eagles reserve jersey logo space for late legend Saanthy

Eagles football club has dedicated the logo space on its jersey to the memory of the late football legend Ihusan Abdul Ghani (Saanthy).

At the press conference ahead of the football season opening Charity Shield match scheduled for tonight, Eagles coach Ahmed Nimad appeared in a T-shirt featuring Saanthy’s photo in place of the team logo.

Mihaaru News has also learned that the jerseys to be worn by the team for tonight’s match will carry the same tribute.

Saanthy, who passed away in March this year at the age of 51 after a two year battle with cancer, played a pivotal role in the Eagles’ history. He served mainly as a coach, nurturing young talent and shaping the future of Maldivian football.

He stepped down from coaching the Eagles in 2022 to seek treatment but left behind a legacy of dedication to player development. Saanthy was widely known for prioritizing opportunities for the next generation, introducing innovative approaches as both coach and technical director.

One of his most notable achievements came in 2016, when the Eagles won the President’s Cup with a squad largely made up of players he had trained. Speaking at the time, Saanthy remarked, “It’s always great to give new players a chance and build a team to success.”