DUBAI // An international cricket umpire and veteran resident of the UAE died yesterday morning from a heart attack.
Farid Malik collapsed at the Pakistan Consulate while he was in the process of finishing documentation for his family. He was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.
The veteran expatriate from Lahore, who was in his 60s, had lived in the UAE for more than 30 years and was a senior umpire of the Sharjah Cricket Council (SCC).
At the peak of his career, he stood as umpire at the 1996 World Cup which was hosted jointly by India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Mr Malik's long career as a cricket umpire began soon after he moved to the UAE.
The cricket community mourned the loss of Mr Malik, who was due to conduct an umpiring course in Sharjah next week. Mazhar Khan, of the SCC, said Mr Malik was a "true gentleman and so popular in UAE cricket fraternity."
"He had a passion for cricket that cannot be explained in words," said Shahzad Altaf, a former player and coach of the UAE national team, who had known Mr Malik for more than 30 years.
"He had dedicated his life to the game and continued to do so. He was easily the best umpire in the UAE and stood at several international matches played at the Sharjah cricket stadium."
Mohammed Tauqir, the vice-captain of the UAE and Mr Malik's son-in-law, said: "I have known him for 15 years and he was a father figure to me. Whenever I was low he used to encourage me and pulled me up.
"I had joked with him several times telling him to give up cricket as he was very old. But he was so passionate about cricket that he could not do without being part of the game."
Mr Malik was believed to have be in good health and never complained of any problems, according to a colleague.
"Everyone felt he had the perfect personality for an umpire as he was fit and always composed. We are really shocked by his sudden death," said Israr Ahmed, former umpire and colleague of Mr Malik.
Mr Malik is survived by a wife, three sons and a daughter.
pmenon@thenational.ae
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Moral education needed in a 'rapidly changing world'
Moral education lessons for young people is needed in a rapidly changing world, the head of the programme said.
Alanood Al Kaabi, head of programmes at the Education Affairs Office of the Crown Price Court - Abu Dhabi, said: "The Crown Price Court is fully behind this initiative and have already seen the curriculum succeed in empowering young people and providing them with the necessary tools to succeed in building the future of the nation at all levels.
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IF YOU GO
The flights
FlyDubai flies direct from Dubai to Skopje in five hours from Dh1,314 return including taxes. Hourly buses from Skopje to Ohrid take three hours.
The tours
English-speaking guided tours of Ohrid town and the surrounding area are organised by Cultura 365; these cost €90 (Dh386) for a one-day trip including driver and guide and €100 a day (Dh429) for two people.
The hotels
Villa St Sofija in the old town of Ohrid, twin room from $54 (Dh198) a night.
St Naum Monastery, on the lake 30km south of Ohrid town, has updated its pilgrims' quarters into a modern 3-star hotel, with rooms overlooking the monastery courtyard and lake. Double room from $60 (Dh 220) a night.
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