Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has sent his condolences to the Iraqi Football Association and the family and friends of former player and youth coach Ali Hadi who passed away on June 12, 2020 at the age of 53, after contracting COVID-19.
The AFC President said: “On behalf of the whole Asian football family, please accept my heartfelt sympathies and condolences on the passing of Ali Hadi.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has been the toughest medical crisis of our time and we are deeply saddened to lose a true servant of the game.
“He will always be remembered for his passion for developing youth football and his contributions to the development of the game in Iraq and Asian football,” added Shaikh Salman.
Hadi was a formidable defender who featured for Iraqi giants Air Force Club and Al-Zawraa, leading the latter to four domestic titles in an illustrious club career before dedicating his time to coaching Iraq’s national set-up at various age-group levels.
He was part of the backroom staff of the Iraqi U-17 side that made history when they finished fourth at the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey which paved the way for the rise of a golden generation for the Lions of Mesopotamia.
He rose quickly through the coaching ranks to lead Iraq’s U-19 side before going on to manage a host of clubs including Al-Samawah, Al-Karkh, Al-Talaba and Zakho FC.
The thoughts and prayers of the AFC and the rest of the Asian football community are with the family and friends of Hadi, the Iraqi Football Association and the Iraq football community during this difficult time.