TFF mourns former referee Abdurkadir

THE President of the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF), Wallace Karia, has expressed his heartfelt condolences and sympathies following the passing on of the former Chairman of the Football Referees Association of Tanzania (FRAT), Omary Abdurkadir.

TFF shared their sorrow in the press statement, stating that they received the news with great sadness, as Abdurkadir was a key figure in football and had been a referee for many years.

“During his lifetime, Abdurkadir was an International Football Federation (FIFA) referee and everyone has been deeply touched by this loss,” the statement read in part.

Karia further remarked, “Abdurkadir’s contribution to the development of football, especially in the referees’ sector, will always be remembered.”

Ahmed Omary, son of the late Abdurkadir, said that his father had been suffering from kidney disease for a while and faced other health challenges, such as high blood pressure, but the kidney challenge was the most persistent.

“We know that the football community has been deeply affected by this loss, but it is God’s will.

Let us continue to honour his legacy, particularly in the refereeing sector.

“As a family, we have suffered a great loss.

He was a loving and influential person.

Reflecting on the profound impact his father had on not only their family but also the wider football community,” Omary narrated.

He further pointed oot: “His commitment to the sport was unwavering and he always strived to uphold fairness and integrity in every match officiated.

Beyond football, he was a man of kindness, always putting others before himself and had an unmatched passion for nurturing young referees.”

He concluded: “The football fraternity has truly lost a great figure and we as a family will deeply miss his presence.

However, we find solace in knowing that he lived a full and impactful life.”

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During his lifetime, Abdurkadir was a FIFA referee and before retiring, he served as a Referees’ Assessor.

Abdurkadir was also among the three Tanzanian referees who officiated in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals, alongside the late Hafidh Ally Tahir and Frank Komba.

In those finals, he officiated one group-stage match, where Algeria won 3-1 against Gabon.

In that match, Abdurkadir sent off Gabonese player Eric Engo with a red card early in the game, which sparked discussions.