Football clubs must give opportunities for local keepers: Imran

Celebrated Maldivian goalkeeper and the assistant of the goal keeper’s trainer of the National Football Team, Imran Mohamed has stressed on the importance of allowing local keepers to play in league clubs, even if it for a limited period.

With a purpose to provide more opportunities for Maldivian goalies, the Football Association of Maldives (FAM) in 2018, decided to bar foreign goalkeepers from being selected to local football clubs. However, the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic led to the decision being reversed upon the request from clubs.

As such, clubs were allowed to select foreign goalkeepers for the upcoming football season.

In a Twitter post regarding this, Imran expressed his belief that it is important to give the opportunity for local goalies, even if it is for a limited period of time.

In light of this, Imran added that only in the face of challenging matches will skilled keepers be created.

Earlier, Imran had expressed his satisfaction with FAM’s decision in 2018, barring the selection of foreign goalkeepers to local clubs.

After a golden era shining through the country’s football achievements for 20 years, Imran retired during 2019. The celebrated goalie who retired from the national team during 2016, officially retired and put down his goalie gloves after dissolving his contract with TC Sports Club mid-season.

Following his appointment to the post, Imran highlighted that this is the best opportunity for him to pass on his knowledge and expertise onto the younger generation of goalkeepers. He added that he does not believe it is acceptable to bring in foreign goalkeepers to local clubs and that it needed to change.

Having accepted the 109 matches Imran played for the national team, FIFA had included the Maldivian goalie in the association’s ‘Century Club’.