Khalid Ali, a revered figure in national football, passed away today at the age of 66 after battling lung cancer at the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre in Petaling Jaya.
The sad news of Khalid’s demise was confirmed by his brother, Datuk Zainal Abidin Hassan, who shared that Khalid took his last breath around 3.05pm.
“That is correct. My brother Khalid Ali died at 3.05pm today. We are currently managing his remains and any developments will be communicated later,” he told Bernama.
Last year, Khalid Ali, the former national defensive midfielder, received a stage four lung cancer diagnosis.
From 1977 to 1985, he proudly donned the national team jersey, and his notable accomplishment was playing a crucial role in the national squad’s qualification for the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow, Russia.
In the meantime, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) expressed their heartfelt condolences to Khalid’s family during this difficult time.
“May Allah SWT have mercy on his soul, forgive all his sins and place him among the righteous,” said the statement.
Following prayers at Masjid As-Sobirin AU5, Lembah Keramat, Khalid’s body was laid to rest at AU4 Cemetery after Maghrib. This information was reported by Bernama.