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BoalhaMV Speaks With Miraash Imthiyaz
"It's 46th minute in the Club Futbol Mollet's promotion push to the third tier of Spanish football, Cadmo is off, on comes Miraash Imthiyaz, the Maldivian teenager"
Miraash, known as Aash to those who know him personally. This kid is no ordinary football player. From Iskandar School to Early Touch Football Academy to Spanish side CF Mollet, Aash has already scored for CF Mollet, the Club is on the brink of promotion and yes they might meet some of the giants of Spanish football like Real Madrid and Barcelona in the cup competitions.
For Aash this is just the beginning of his career, BoalhaMV interviewed the starlet via Whatsapp. We are proud to present - BoalhaMV speaks with Miraash Imthiyaz.
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Photo: FC Mollet |
BoalhaMV: Which club are you playing for now?
Aash: Im playing FC mollet. It is a local team in barcelona who’s spent many years in spain’s third division and are trying to get promoted again.
BoalhaMV: Could you tell us about your journey to the club from school days.
Aash: I played in Iskandar school before I moved to Barcelona to play. The first team i signed for was UE Cornella. I spent 5 years there developing as a player in the under 15 cadet and under 19 juvenile leagues before i signed for UE Belvitge last season which was the peak of my career until now as that was the highest youth league in Spain(Division de Honor). The first years in Spain were hard as I spoke no Spanish and the coaches or the players in the club didn't speak it either. When I first went I went through an international academy so they helped me ease into the Spanish football and culture and I picked up the language in 8 months or so. That is where i met Didi who has been by my side since the start.
BoalhaMV: We understand your parents played a huge role in this? What advice would you give to other Maldivian kids who want to play abroad.
Aash: My parents did play a huge role and continue to do so everyday. When I was a kid they wanted me to be a doctor like any other parent here, but they have been very understanding and I am lucky to have their full support. Yes I would encourage it. Like I said I am very fortunate to have my parents who agreed to send me to Spain for football. Most kids don't have the facilities to do that or develop here. The amount of talent here(Maldives) is incredible and we should be exploiting it correctly. What is my advice to them? I would say don't let anybody tell you what you can and cant do, if you want something, work towards it and it will come your way eventually.
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Photo: CF Mollet |
BoalhaMV: Favorite football team in the world? Do you dream of playing for them.
Aash: Favorite football team is arsenal and yes it has always been my dream to play for them.
BoalhaMV: Usually u don't like to talk to the media, what made you change your mind?
Aash: I think media is important these days and it was my mother who actually talked me into it.
BoalhaMV: There are many people who believe you are the next big player for the Maldives. What do you say to that?
Aash: I think there are many good players and everyone has their own opinion of who is better than who. I am happy there are people who think that but as I said before there is talent in abundance here(in Maldives) and I am sure there would be players much better than me who are less fortunate and don't have the proper development set up for them -especially outside of Malé.
I have had many ups and downs in Spain. The first two years were very good until they took my player license because of FC Barcelona bringing in players illegally. Me and many other ‘extranjeros’ couldnt play the league and that was a big blow to our careers. We were playing friendlies for around 2/3 years till we got our license back and started to compete again. That is why I felt like it was a huge accomplishment to reach the highest youth league in Spain. After that season I was with FC Santboia who is a third division team but i got zero playing time so I signed for CF Mollet, who is a league below but are going to promote next season.
This season has been full of ups and downs but lately its been ups. When I signed for Mollet we were 4th place 14 points behind second and now we’re second place in 1.5 months.
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Photo: Facebook| Miraash Imthiyaz |
That concludes what Aash had to say. BoalhaMV thought it appropriate to ask a few people who knows Aash about what kind of person is behind this footballer.
Heena Ahmed Saleem, in whose academy Aash started, said that from a very young age Aash was showing remarkable talent and also commitment.
"Aash will get his mom to drive him to the stadium even on rainy days, just in case Heena coach doesn't cancel training" a very proud coach Heena told BoalhaMV. Heena also added that Aash's parents supportive nature is the key behind Aash's success. Like everyone else we interviewed Heena also mentioned Aash's good character and his discipline. "my advice to Aash is, if he is given a chance to play for Maldives he should consider doing so, because there are a few Maldivian coaches who worked hard with Aash too" Heena added.
Yoosuf Azeem(Yoottey), former national team player worked with Aash in Iskandar School. said that Aash gave utmost importance to training. He was always on time and gave his all in training with great discipline according to Yoottey. " my advice to Aash is to stay there(Europe)and keep developing as a player" Yoottey told BoalhaMV.
Hamdullah Fernando, who worked with Aash in Early Touch Football Academy(ETFA) praised Aash for his discipline and his humility calling him a good person. "He will listen when being adviced, whoever it is, Aash always listened and he tries to implement it" Hamdullah told BoalhaMV.
Foakaidhoo head coach Ali Nisthar mohamed says he met Aash in ETFA, and that it was a privilege working with him. According to the former ETFA coach, when Aash is in Male' they still meet for a coffee and Aash has not changed. "my advice would be do what you do with a smile, don't forget your roots. Insha Allah you will be remembered as an awesome footballer and an awesome person." Nisthar told BoalhaMV
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Aash visiting Early Touch Football Academy during holidays Photo: Facebook|ANM |
Ismail Zaan Amir, who also plays in Spain said it was a pleasure playing alongside Aash. "a hard worker, I looked upto him since day one" Aash's former ETFA and Iskandar School team-mate Zaan added. Hussain Rayyan, who recently signed for Victory Sports Club added that "Aash to me is the guy to replace Dhagandey(Ali Ashfaq). Rayyan also worked with Aash in ETFA and Iskandar School. Former Victory and Iskandar School player Ali Hamdan just wanted to wish Aash all the best. "what can one say about Aash? Hardwork and dedication took him to where he is today" Ali Hamdhan told BoalhaMV.
Aash's story cannot be told without few words from his family. Speaking to Boalha MV, Aash's mom said that Aash is still learning and that they hope to see Aash play in Europe's top level. "He is yet to reach the target he set for himself, it was his work and dedication, we just helped him reach it" Aash' mom told BoalhaMV.
According to his mom, Aash joined ETFA(Early Touch Football Academy) when he was in Pre-School(L.K.G). "He used to set the alarm clock, wake us up in the morning to take him to training" Aash mom added. "we have two kids, and it was difficult to let him go so far away, but it is for his happiness that we facilitated his training in Spain, because it would not be possible to reach his dream without getting the best training" Aash's mom added.
As Aash is preparing for the next game of CF Mollet, we in Maldives hope to see this teenage prodigy return to Maldives to play in National colors and return to European football, our very own, play among the best.
BoalhaMV wishes Miraash Imthiyaz all the best. We also congratulate Miraash Imthiyaz's parents.