The Sudanese football icon has passed away| Sudanow Magazine

PortSudan(Sudanow)
Thousands of ecstatic fans, celebrating Al-Hilal's victory over their traditional rival Al-Merrikh, chanted hysterically, causing the surrounding buildings to tremble. With no choice but to echo the thunderous cheers, the walls reverberated with the resounding chant: "Who’s your father? Ali Gagarin!"

As a result, the then Minister of Sports, Zain Al-Abidin Mohamed Ahmed Abdelkader, swiftly took action, issuing urgent decisions to halt the travel of sports teams participating abroad and suspend all local football competitions. Not only that, but he also ordered the disbandment of all teams, the freezing of club and federation accounts, and the transition to what became known as "mass sports"—where sports were to be practiced only within residential areas.

All of these decisions, which were a disastrous for sportsmen and athletes, were due to that chant, simple in its composition but profound in its meaning, as that chant was nothing but a distortion of a famous and widespread chant at the time about the late Sudanese president, Jaafar Al-Numeiri, which was, “Who is your father?” Nimeiry.

Sports history records that the legendary player, captain of Al-Hilal and the national team, Ali Gagarin—famously known as "the Flaming Spear"—scored a decisive goal in the 70th minute of the final match against Al-Merrikh during the "Health Revolution Cup" on April 24, 1976. This goal was enough to secure the championship for Al-Hilal, leading to their crowning as champions and sparking jubilant chants from the fans in his honor.

A Merrikhian Beginning

Widely known as Ali Gagarin, his real name is Haider Hassan Haj Al-Siddiq. He was born on April 1, 1949, in Omdurman (the national capital) into a deeply sports-oriented and Merrikh-supporting family. His older brother, Jaafar Gagarin, played for Al-Merrikh, and before him, his nephew, the Sudanese football legend Hassan Abu Alaila, was also Merrikh star.

In fact, Ali Gagarin himself was part of Al-Merrikh's youth team from 1963 to 1966, and by virtue of his age, he became eligible to join the first team.

During that period, some Al-Hilal players and officials began reaching out to him to join their team. For a mere 125 Sudanese pounds, which was a significant amount by the standards of that time, Ali Gagarin signed to join the Al-Hilal squad. With that money, he did not hesitate to buy a bicycle, fulfilling his long-held dream of owning one.

Symbol of the Golden Generation

Ali Gagarin was a true nightmare for any goalkeeper who faced him. On the other hand, for the fans, he was the spark that ignited their passion with his decisive goals. Gagarin became a symbol of the golden generation of Sudanese football, during a time when the sport in Sudan was at its peak. He left an indelible mark on the memory of Sudanese stadiums, especially in the iconic Sudanese derby matches between Al-Hilal and Al-Merrikh.

He set a record by scoring 19 goals against Al-Merrikh over a span of ten years between 1967 and 1976, a feat that stood unbeaten for over four decades.

Ali Gagarin, the Flaming Spear, was also the top scorer for the Sudanese national team during the 1970s. He dazzled on African fields, becoming one of the legends of the Africa Cup of Nations, the only one won by Sudan in 1970. He delighted fans with his brilliant performance, stunning goals, and exemplary sportsmanship.

His contribution didn’t stop there. Despite the suspension of sports activities in Sudan due to the controversial chant directed at him, Gagarin continued his career abroad, playing for various teams across Asia and Africa. He played for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia during the 1976-1977 season and later with Stade Abidjan in Ivory Coast between 1978-1979.

Prominent Diplomat and Academic

Dr. Ali Gagrin joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1977, serving in several diplomatic missions, including Abidjan, Paris, New York, and Ankara. He also held the position of Sudan’s ambassador to Kinshasa and Algiers and served as the Director-General of various departments within the ministry.

Holding a Ph.D. in Law and a Master’s degree in the French language, along with several academic diplomas, Dr. Gagrin also worked as a lecturer at several Sudanese universities.

Moreover, he served as Director of Strategic Planning at the Higher Academy for Strategic and Security Studies, where he left a significant impact to his vast knowledge and his sinsitive humility. This is a testimony from everyone who worked with him in academia and public service, particularly in the field of sports.

Passing away without an appointment

The sports, diplomatic, and broader Sudanese community was deeply shocked by the passing of Ali Gagarin, far from the fields where he had once dazzled and brought smiles to his viewers His pure soul departed on the 12th of this month at the International Medical Center in Cairo, Egypt, at the age of 75, after a battle with illness, following a severe chest infection.

His passing marked the end of a distinguished career in both sports, diplomacy, and public service, closing a chapter in Sudanese football history, one that was written by the Flaming Spear with skill and excellence.

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