DUBAI (SD) – Somalia has once again lost one of its basketball stars in 1980s to covid-19 barely a year after the disease killed former Somali football player.

In a statement, Somali government confirmed the death of Omar Abdulkadir Barajab in Dubai on Tuesday, aged 61 years.

“My condolences to the family and the Somali sports community on the death of Somali basketball legend Abdulkadir Barajab who passed away in UAE. Baarajab had become a coach for national basketball team & one of best stars of Somalia’s basketball era. May Allah grant him Jannah,” Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimu.

Basketball legend and coach Omar Abdulkadir Barajab was planning to run for a seat in parliament in the upcoming election.

His father, Abdulkadir, was active in the athletic scene and was credited with making basketball popular in a country that would have much rather kicked a ball.

Born in Shibis neighbourhood in Mogadishu, Barajab began playing for LLPP Jeenyo, a domestic club.

His talent quickly caught the eye of Somalia’s national team coaches, and although still a senior in high school, Omar was selected to Somalia’s Men’s National Team in 1981.

That same year, Somalia hosted the FIBA Africa Championship in its capital Mogadishu.

The death of Barajab comes barely a year after Former Somali football player Abdulkadir Mohamed Farah Biriq died in London from COVID-19.

Born and bred in Beled Weyn, Hiiraan, Biriq grew to be an established sports personality, particularly in football. 

He first represented Hiiraan Region in the regional competition held every year in Mogadishu.

Biriq later joined ‘Batroolka’, one of the top football teams in the Somali first division during the 1980s.