Dubai - A football player in two national teams to a serviceman in the armed forces sums up the story of 40-year-old Al Shehi who was martyred in Yemen.
Published: Thu 26 Nov 2015, 5:41 PM
Last updated: Fri 27 Nov 2015, 1:28 AM
A football player in two national teams to a serviceman in the armed forces sums up the story of 40-year-old Ali Hassan Mohammed Al Shehi who was martyred in Yemen on September 4.
Born in Ras Al Khaimah in 1975, Al Shehi started his sports career with the Emirates Sports Club where he played as a midfielder and defender for the first national team of the country. He also played for the RAK and Red Island football teams until he decided to quit the world of celebrities in 2008 and dedicate his life to the army which he joined 22 years ago.
Abdullah Hassan Al Shehi, elder brother of the martyr who works as a trainer in the RAK police, said his martyred brother was a famous football player and coach. "We were actually known in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah for our sports achievements before joining the army and police."
The UAE flag which Al Shehi's body was wrapped in has been given to his son as per his will. "He asked us to give the UAE flag to his son if he met his end in the operations led by Saudi Arabia in Yemen. This was his will."
Al Shehi got married to a relative and he has four kids, including two sons and two daughters, Abdullah, former goalkeeper of the Union football team added.
"His eldest daughter is 10 years old, then comes his two sons aged eight and four, and then a two-year-old daughter."
Ahmed Al Shaji, goalkeeper of the Emirates Club, said Al Shehi was more like a brother to him. "We have played football together for the Emirates, RAK and Red Island teams for years."
"Al Shehi and all martyrs along with him have made us proud with their sacrifice to raise the UAE flag high. They were lions in human flesh and bravely fought for justice."
Mohammed Al Taweel, an administrative staff with the Emirates football team, said the martyr was a role model in good manners and piety. "He used to pray on time, and everybody liked him and misses him."
Al Shehi was modest while dealing with people, and was good to his fellow players. "He was a respectable person and he never gave up as a player and as a fighter."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com
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