The late legend had long suffered from chronic diabetes,
but was still very active in the sport and served as the deputy chairman of the
Somali police-owned club [Heegan].
"I last spoke to him on Thursday evening and he was
alright. He felt some pain before dawn on Friday morning and died at 8am. It is
really with sadness to learn about his death” Somali FA senior vice president
Ali Abdi Mohamed said.
Abdi Ali Sheik Ahmed had lent a forceful commitment to the development of Somali football since 1960. He was one of Ocean stars top players in 1960s and 1970s. "I had known him for more than 50 years; we played together in the National team” said Ocean stars playmaker in 1960s and 1970s Haji Mohamed Ahmed Olow,
Somali Football Federation president, Abdiqani Said Arab,
announced three days of national mourning and the book of condolence was opened
at Somali Football Federation headquarters, where hundreds of people have
signed so far.
"We are in a deep shock. We lost one of our greatest legends
of all times. We missed a great man, but his legacy will always be with us”
Somali FA president, Abdiqani Said Arab, said adding that the late legend had
helped the revival of Somali football after the country felt into anarchy in
1991. "With sadness, I am first sending condolence to myself,
to his family and friends and to the people of Somalia in general” SFF
president said.
On his side, the chief of Somali police, General Mohamed
Sheik Hassan Hamud, said that the death of legend Abdi Ali Sheik Ahmed, is the
most painful loss in recent years.
"I share the sadness with Somali Football Federation, his
family and with the rest of Somali people” said General Hamud, the financer of
the Heegan Sports Club, the defending champions of Somali National Football
league.