Sidibari
ODI Sports Club has announced the sudden departure of head coach Ian Andrew Gillan, just hours after the team played its first competitive game in over a year.
The club confirmed that Gillan has stepped down from his role due to a personal family emergency that requires his immediate return to Aberdeen, Scotland. A source informed Sidibari that the emergency is that Ian’s father has been diagnosed with cancer.
A mutual agreement was reached between the coach and the club to terminate his contract with immediate effect.
“While his time with ODI Sports Club was brief, we are grateful for his efforts and dedication during his tenure,” the club stated. “We respect Coach’s decision to prioritize his family at this time and wish him the very best in his future endeavors.”
Gillan’s exit comes less than 24 hours after competitive club football restarted with the FAM League Cup.
Last night’s match — a 0-0 draw against TC Sports Club in the opening round of the FAM League Cup — was ODI’s first competitive outing since their title-winning campaign in the FAM Second Division, which ended fourteen months ago with a dramatic victory over Victory SC in the final.
The ongoing League Cup serves as a transitional tournament ahead of the domestic season, and ODI had entered it with renewed ambition under Gillan’s guidance.
With the sudden change, the club now faces a swift turnaround to regroup and reorganize. ODI confirmed that interim coaching arrangements will be announced soon and that a formal process for appointing a new head coach is already underway. Assistants Faruhad Ismail (Farey), Ahmed Farrah (Farra) and Hassan Hameed (Dakey) will takeover the club for the ongoing FAM League cup.
Despite the unexpected setback, the club emphasized its continued commitment to long-term goals, both on and off the pitch.
