Below are a selection of the messages that have flowed in for Rafiq, who was the Just Play development officer for the Fiji Football Association and previously held a position in the technical department.
Joseph S. Blatter – FIFA President
Having received the news here in Tokyo, I would like to say how shocked I was to hear of the tragic death of Mohammed Rafiq after collapsing on the ground during the FIFA coaching course for Fiji FA. On behalf of FIFA and the worldwide football family, I wish to extend our condolences to the Fiji football community and, most importantly, to Rafiq‘s family, friends and loved ones. Please let them know that the football community stands by their side and we wish them strength at this difficult time. We would hope that in some way, our words of support may help bring a little bit of peace and solace in this time of sadness.
Rajesh Patel – Fiji FA President
Fiji FA is deeply saddened by the sudden passing away of our development officer Mohammed Rafiq. A humble, dedicated and hardworking employee, Rafiq was an inspiration for the national football body. It is indeed a sad day for Fiji FA to lose such a capable person who had proved his worth as a player and later a coach. It is still hard to convince ourselves that Rafiq is not with us but at the end of the day it was God’s will. On behalf of the Fiji FA family, I would like to extend our deepest condolences to Rafiq’s family. We will pray and hope the almighty shower His blessings towards his family for their huge loss.
Bob Kumar – Fiji FA Chief Executive Officer
On behalf of the Fiji FA board members, affiliates and staff, I would like to extend our sincere condolences to Mohammed Rafiq’s family. Rafiq was a fatherly figure for the other staff members at Fiji FA and his words of wisdom will no doubt be an inspiration for all of us. A person of his calibre and with his passion for football will be hard to replace. May his soul rest in peace and our prayers are with his family.
Juan Carlos Buzzetti – Fiji FA National Coaching Director
On behalf of everybody in the Fiji FA technical department, we would like to present our deepest sympathy and condolences to the family of our late brother and colleague Mohammed Rafiq. We are all still in shock and disbelief at what happened and he will be remembered by all for his contribution to the game and the friendship and comradeship he extended among the coaching fraternity. Rest in peace brother.
Franck Castillo – OFC Head of Social Responsibility and International Relations
The Just Play family has lost a man of rare quality. Passionate about his role as a development officer, Rafiq’s commitment is a large part of the reason for the success of Just Play in Fiji. Since the beginning of this programme, Rafiq has supported the Just Play project manager Yassir Jannif, who confessed on Friday that he has lost someone who has been like father to him. Football was Rafiq’s passion and he was very happy to have the opportunity to improve children’s lives by using it. On behalf of the whole Just Play family, I would like to pay tribute to Rafiq. I hope that from heaven he will continue to provide us with valuable advice. Thank you Rafiq for what you have done for the children of Fiji. No doubt many will miss you in Fiji. You are and will remain a role model. The Just Play family would like to express to his family our deepest condolences.
Yassir Jannif – Fiji FA Just Play Project Manager
I have known Mohammed Rafiq since 2009 when we joined together at Fiji FA. Ever since Just Play came to Fiji, he has been the backbone of the programme. Since the day I have known him, he has been the most humble person with a lot of passion for football. He was a caring, family-orientated person who loved kids and was always there to help any person in need. I have always respected him as I would my father and have always taken advice from him to run the Just Play programme. Through the years, we had built a very good relationship together and I have come to know his family. I feel so blessed to have known such an extraordinary man, I will always cherish the times we spent together as workmates.
Rajesh Narayan – Lami Football Association
We wish to extend our heartfelt condolences on the bereavement caused by the untimely death of Mohammed Rafiq. He was appointed as a technical adviser for Lami Football Association this year and assisted us in our undefeated outing in the Premier Division Battle of the Giants tournament. He was an instrumental coach, mentor and person of great expertise in the field of football. He never hesitated to share his knowledge with the people around him and always worked towards the betterment of the sport. A person of this calibre will be difficult to replace and his sudden death has left a vacuum in the coaching panel of the association. We will dedicate the Inter District Championship to Rafiq and play every game in his name.
For more on Fiji football go to www.fijifootball.com.fj

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