Ali Umar Kicks Off for the Stars

Now, four years later, the 20-year-old striker (pic) is in peak form, and the subject of much admiration, both on the football field, and also as a youthful icon for many aspiring young men. And with his boyish looks, he is no less a pin-up heartthrob for countless admiring hormone-driven teen girls.

"I never thought that I would come this far," says the young striker of Club Valencia, who began carving out a career in football from as far back as his schooling days.

Ali’s star began to rise from the time he joined Valencia. His outstanding—and stylish—talent, plus a neck for scoring goals, earned him admiration and respect. He transferred to Valencia on a three-year contract after Youth relegated to the Second Division. By the time the three-year contract was over, Ali Umar shone as bright as other big stars in Maldives’ football.

Many clubs offered contracts hoping to reap Ali’s talents to their advantage, but Ali decided to stick it out with his present club; he renewed his contract with Valencia last Ramazan.

"Valencia offered the best contract," Ali reasons.

Although last year was not one of Valencia’s best, as it did not manage to win any of the seven football tournaments, Ali still managed to home in 27 goals, the most in last year’s football season, thereby managing to claim title to Haveeru Daily’s "Golden Boot," an award the newspaper bestows each year on the top-scoring player of the season.

However, it did not alleviate Ali’s bitterness. He claims both the coach and the club’s management took everything too lightly last year. "Only when the national tournament cup drew too near did they become serious," says Ali.

With 2001—and a new contract—Ali is ready to kick off with a renewed effort to alleviate the bitterness.

"I want to achieve a lot of success for Valencia so that we could put behind us last year’s losses," Ali says.

He is also not totally satisfied with his performance: Although he still managed to net 27 goals, he believes he lost many opportunities that could otherwise have been converted to gold.

"I think the 27 goals represent only about 60 percent of the chances I got. I got a lot of opportunities to score. That’s why I’m not too happy," he says.

Ali has now set his target to winning the Maldivian Footballer of the Year title, also awarded by Haveeru.

"My next big aim is the Footballer of the Year title," says Ali, who has a full-time job at Maldives Customs Service.

"I couldn’t play up to the mark last time. In addition, I believe the club’s overall performance is also considered. There were many players who were better than me." Ali was one of the five contenders for the player of the year title which, on January 6, was accorded to Ali’s close friend and fellow compatriot in the national team, New Radiant’s Adam Abdul Latheef who won the title for the second time, the first time being in 1995 when the title was introduced.

Ali’s most memorable season was in 1999; fond memories of his scoring the "golden goal" against New Radiant to win the FA Cup for Valencia still lingers, says Ali.

Perhaps Ali’s star may shine brighter this year than it did during the last five years of his football career. His eager followers—both male and female—would indeed love Ali to top it out in 2001. Cheers to that.

(This article was published in Haveeru Daily on Jan 26, 2001. You can access it on Haveeru Daily Online at the link: http://www.haveeru.com.mv/english/features/aliumar.htm)

FEEDBACK:

@ "While scouring the www for news, articles, anything on my football team of choice, Valencia FC, I came across your feature article on Ali Umar. Several 'google' searches later I was directed to your personal website. Admittedly, I haven't read enough of your work to pass a judgement of any kind, however, I hope you would allow me to make the following observation(s) and take it with a pinch of salt. Apart from what appeared to be perfunctory writing, what struck me most was the following comment "... plus a neck for scoring goals ...". Well, I suppose you meant to say 'knack'. I'm not sure if it was an attempt at humour
on your part, though I fail to see why. Or may be it was just a typo. Whatever the case, it remains one of the most humourous bits of prose I've ever read in my life. Please don't take this personally -- patronising you would be my last intention. Perhaps I stand accused of being pedantic, of which I'm guilty as charged. I'm sure you would have better things to do than waste your time reading this [perhaps even gratifying my comments with a reply]. However, let it not go unsaid that I did enjoy your article on Umar and hope to read more of your work in the future."--James Colburn-McIntyre, 17 May 2003