Ali Thameem
One of the finest midfielders of 21st-century Maldivian football, Mohamed Umair, has announced his retirement at the age of 37.
Umair announced that he is “stepping back from football” on a social media post last night. Umair’s retirement was prompted by his induction into the newly elected executive committee of the FAM. The new president, Ahmed Thariq, had chosen Umair to be part of his team in the effort to recover football from within the association.
“It’s been an incredible journey. Having proudly worn the Maldives national jersey at U16, U19, U23, and senior level, I know what it means to represent our people. Football has always been more than a game; it’s the country’s top sport, something that brings us all together, no matter where we come from.”
– Mohamed Umair
Born and raised in Laamu Kunahandhoo, Umair moved to Male’ in his teenage years to play at the junior level. Umair thanked the coaches who guided him throughout the years, starting with Mohamed Liruqaam (Larey), who helped Umair settle in the capital and complete his studies. Umair also thanked his junior national team coaches, the late Ihusan Abdhul Ghanee (Saanthi) and Mohamed Shiyaz (Mohan), for allowing him to represent the U16 national team – his very first time representing the Maldives.
At 17, Umair made his top-flight debut as a right-back at Victory Sports Club, courtesy of Mauroof Ahmed (Maatte) and Ali Suzain. Both of Suzain and Maatte trusted the youngster to fill in the position, “despite many doubting my ability to make the starting eleven” wrote Umair.
Soon enough, Umair was selected for the senior national team. At nineteen years old, he was called up to the national team; the historic squad who went on to win the SAFF Championship for Maldives.
Umair had played for some of the biggest teams throughout the two decades of his club career. “Grateful for the journey with VB, Maziya, New Radiant, Green Street, and Valencia. Each club, each teammate, each match, unforgettable memories” he wrote. The striker’s peak came in 2013, when he won Best Footballer of the Year at the Haveeru Sports Awards.
Nineteen years since debut, Umair returned to Victory SC in 2023, and played his role in lifting his boyhood club back up into the first division. His final game at Galolhu Stadium was on 08 February last year, against Odi SC in the final match of FAM Second Division.
“To all national and club coaches who believed in me, thank you! To every teammate and opponent I’ve shared the field with, respect! To my mother, father, family, and friends, your support made this possible!”
Today, Umair is a AFC C-Licensed coach; he teamed up with fellow national teammate Akram Abdul Ghanee in coaching the U14 team of Maldives Soccer Mates, at the Dhivehi Youth League last December.
24 days after his 37th birthday, Umair retires as a professional player and steps into the shoes of a football administrator, in what he called “a new chapter with FAM”. He pledges to give back to the sport that made him who he is. “Let’s bring back the lost passion rebuild the support for Maldivian football, and keep our competition strong on the pitch where it belongs. And may Allah (SWT) guide me in this new role”
