A book of condolences has been opened in honor of the late football legend, Mohamed 'Baka' Arif.

Baka, who was the National Football Team’s midfielder passed away on 25 June 2024.

The footballer was 38 years of age at the time of his death.

The football legend is to have succumbed to an illness, after he returned from a trip to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to perform this year’s Hajj pilgrimage.

Baka passed away while being treated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of ADK Hospital, after he contracted a viral disease during his trip to perform Hajj pilgrimage. His condition is to have deteriorated after his temperature soared and he was rushed to the hospital.

His funeral was held at dawn on Wednesday.

Several members of the sports family of the Maldives and the general public attended his funeral.

The mourner’s register was opened in his honor at the National Football Stadium on Thursday evening.

Minister of Sports, Fitness and Recreation Abdulla Rafiu unveiled the book.

The book was signed by senior officials of the Football Association of Maldives (FAM), former players of the national team, the local football society as well as several coaches.

Family members of the late footballer attended the event.

The duration for the condolence book is set through the ongoing FAM Youth Championship.

Several sports enthusiasts and other members of the public flooded social media platforms with messages of condolences, expressing grief over the loss of the football legend, who has left an unparalleled mark on Maldives’ football with his unmatched skills as a midfielder.

Baka’s supporters as well as officials at FAM, clubs he has played for as well as their players and coaches, have offered sympathies to the mourning family.

Having played for many teams during his football career, Baka was also a part of the squad that brought home the SAFF Championship trophy in 2008 as well as 2018.

Baka played a massive role in winning the SAFF championship, both times.

Some of the clubs he has played for include New Radiant Sports Club, Club Valencia, Maziya Sports and Recreation Club, Club Victory, Club Eagles and Club Green Streets.