Mohamed Arif Explained

Mohamed Arif
Native Name:މުހައްމަދު އާރިފް
Birth Date:11 August 1985
Birth Place:Hithadhoo, Addu City, Maldives
Death Place:Malé, Maldives
Resting Place:Galolhu Cemetery, Galolhu, Malé, Maldives[1]
Native Name Lang:dv
Other Names:Baka
Occupation:Footballer
Height:1.78 m
Module:
Embed:yes
Header-Color:lavender
Position:Midfielder
Youthclubs1:Addu YDP
Years1:2004–2006
Clubs1:Island FC
Years2:2007
Clubs2:VB Sports Club
Years3:2008
Clubs3:Club Valencia
Years4:2009–2010
Clubs4:New Radiant SC
Years5:2010–2011
Clubs5:Victory
Years6:2011–2012
Clubs6:VB Sports Club
Years7:2012–2013
Clubs7:Club Eagles
Years8:2013–2014
Clubs8:Maziya
Years9:2015
Clubs9:Kanbawza
Years10:2016
Clubs10:Club Valencia
Years11:2017
Clubs11:Victory
Years12:2017
Clubs12:Maziya
Years13:2018–2019
Clubs13:Eagles
Years14:2019–2020
Clubs14:Club Green Streets
Years15:2020–2024
Clubs15:United Victory
Nationalyears1:2008–2018
Nationalteam1:Maldives
Nationalcaps1:58
Nationalgoals1:1

Mohamed Arif (; 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.

Early life

Mohamed Arif was born on 11 August 1985 in Hithadhoo in Addu.[5]

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.[6] 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.

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.[7] He later moved to United Victory in September 2020, further enriching his professional experience.[8]

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.[9] [10] Arif's career trajectory underscores his versatility and impact both domestically and internationally, solidifying his reputation as a significant figure in Maldivian football.[11]

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.[12] 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.[13] [14] [15] He died on 25 June 2024, while receiving treatment. Arif was 38. 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.[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

Notes and References

  1. News: ބަކާގެ ޖަނާޒާ ބާއްވައިފި. Azuhaa. Aishath. 26 June 2024. dv. Baka's funeral was held. 29 June 2024. AdduLIVE.
  2. News: Samaah . Mohamed . 2 June 2017 . ބަކާގެ ކުޅުމަށް ބަލާއިރު ގައުމީ ޖާޒީ އޭނާއަށް ހައްގު ނުވޭބާ؟ . Does Baka deserve national jersey? . 23 May 2024 . Sun . dv.
  3. News: 6 December 2020 . ޔޫވީ އަށް ގަދަ ތިނެއް ހޯދޭނެ: ބަކާ . UV will get top three: Baka . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201206060106/https://mihaaru.com/local_sports/83843 . 6 December 2020 . 23 May 2024 . . dv.
  4. Web site: 13 August 2019 . Arif Dismisses Segrt Claim As A Lie . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240221065242/https://boalha.mv/news-detail/1416 . 21 February 2024 . 15 September 2023 . boalha.mv.
  5. Web site: Mohamed Arif - Player Info . Data Sports Group . 26 June 2024 . 5 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230405184141/https://globalsportsarchive.com/people/soccer/mohamed-arif/59925/ . live .
  6. News: Shamoon . Mohamed . 12 March 2018 . Mohan praises Baka's performance . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20191108061124/https://sun.mv/102570 . 8 November 2019 . 23 May 2024 . Sun . dv.
  7. News: Shaany . Aishath . 9 May 2019 . Baka leaves Club Eagles, signs with Green Streets . 23 May 2024 . . 22 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240522195601/https://raajje.mv/55901 . live .
  8. News: Shaany . Aishath . 25 September 2020 . Baka transfers to United Victory . 23 May 2024 . . 22 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240522195602/https://raajje.mv/87141 . live .
  9. Web site: Mohamed Arif . 25 June 2024 . Soccerway . 30 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221130150013/https://us.soccerway.com/players/mohamed-arif/70932/ . live .
  10. News: Mohamed . Shahudha . 25 June 2024 . އާރިފްގެ ކުއްލި ވަކިވުން ގައުމީ ބޮޑު ހިތާމައަކަށް . Arif's sudden death a national tragedy . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240626135537/https://dhauru.com/post/news/29304 . 26 June 2024 . 26 June 2024.
  11. News: Solih . Aishath Shuba . 27 June 2024 . Mohamed Arif (Baka): A fundamental pillar of the golden age, a football legend . 28 June 2024 . The Edition.
  12. News: Mohamed . Naizak . 25 June 2024 . Football star Baka dies amid treatment after health decline . 25 June 2024 . Raajje TV.
  13. News: Osmanagic . Ameera . 25 June 2024 . Football legend Mohamed Arif (Baka) passes away . 25 June 2024 . . 26 June 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240626135538/https://edition.mv/news/34224 . live .
  14. News: Zalif . Zunana . 25 June 2024 . Football legend Bakaa passes away . 25 June 2024 . . 26 June 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240626135538/https://raajje.mv/154934 . live .
  15. News: Shahzaan . Mohamed . 25 June 2024 . މެނިންގޮކޯކޮލް ޑިޒީޒްގެ ޝިކާރައަކަށްވީ ބަކާ، ޖަނާޒާ ފަތިސް ނަމާދަށްފަހު . 28 June 2024 . Adhadhu . dv . Baka becomes victim to Meningococcal disease, funeral after Fajr prayer.
  16. Web site: 25 June 2024 . The President conveys condolences to the family of Late Mohamed Arif . 25 June 2024 . . 26 June 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240626135538/https://presidency.gov.mv/Press/Article/31055 . live .
  17. News: Shahid . Malika . 25 June 2024 . FAM mourns 'irreplaceable loss' of football legend Arif (Baka) . 25 June 2024 . . 26 June 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240626135719/https://edition.mv/news/34227 . live .
  18. News: 27 June 2024 . AFC offers condolences on the passing of footballer Arif . 29 June 2024 . PSM News.
  19. News: އާރިފްގެ ކަށުނަމާދު ކުރާނީ އިސްލާމީ މަރުކަޒުގައި. Mohamed. Shahudha. 25 June 2024. Arif's funeral prayer at Islamic Centre. 29 June 2024. Dhauru . dv.
  20. News: ފުޓްބޯޅަ ތަރި މުހައްމަދު އާރިފްގެ ޖަނާޒާ: ގައުމީ ބޮޑު ހިތާމައެއް. Junaid. Anoof. 26 June 2024. dv. Football star Mohamed Arif's funeral: Mourning. 29 June 2024. Dhauru.
  21. Web site: Club Valencia - Trophies . 26 June 2024 . Soccerway.
  22. Web site: Maldives 2010 . 26 June 2024 . RSSSF.
  23. Web site: Dhiraagu Dhivehi League . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120108002455/http://www.famaldives.com/standings.php?id=32 . 8 January 2012 . Football Association of Maldives.
  24. News: Rifshaan . Ali . 1 November 2011 . ވީބީ އިން އެފްއޭ ކަޕް ތަށި ހިއްލާލައިފި . VB receives FA Cup . 26 June 2024 . Sun . dv.
  25. Web site: Maldives - List of Cup Winners . 26 June 2024 . RSSSF.
  26. News: Alifulhu . Azzaam . 16 February 2017 . މާޒިޔާ ޖެހިޖެހިގެން ތިން ވަަނަ ފަހަރަށް ޗެރިޓީ ޝީލްޑް އުފުލާލައިފި . Maziya wins Charity Match three times in a row . 26 June 2024 . Mihaaru.
  27. News: 31 January 2011 . Celebrating the best in Maldivian sport . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160303233632/http://www.haveeru.com.mv/sports/34008 . 3 March 2016 . Haveeru Daily.

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