~ MAY 16 ANNIVERSARY ~

[HOUDA-K]

International terrorism slew Moroccan football icon

By Fahd Chafik


He was having dinner with a bunch of friends at La Casa de España, a Spanish-owned restaurant at the heart of Casablanca. He was enjoying the cool, chummy evening, unaware that his hours were counted. Abdellatif Beggar, a former Raja star and father to Fatima Zahra and Zakaria, was among the victims of the May 16, 2003 terrorist attacks.



Beggar, who was 48 on that horrendous day, was one of Raja's prominent figures, as he had led the Green Eagles to lift a host of national and continental trophies.

“He was more than a friend, he was a brother,” says former international and Raja midfielder Abdelmjid Dolmi, who used to dub him Bajeddi (grandpa), given his ability to recall the major names and events in the green club's history. “He gave Moroccan football more than he took.” adds the elegant Dolmi.

Being one of Morocco's most renowned footballers throughout his brilliant career, the late Beggar was a model even off the pitch.

“Abdellatif, may God have mercy upon his soul, boasted some commendable characteristics that not every player has. He was calm, serious and, above all, respectful,” says Moustafa El Heddaoui, former Raja playmaker and a member of Morocco's 1986 World Cup impressive team.

Two years have passed now since Beggar was killed in the suicide bombings, and some of his friends still cannot believe he is gone; gone and for good.

“I just couldn't believe it when I heard the horrible news of his death. I know that death is a human fate, but I just couldn't stomach him being killed that way,” mourns Abderrahim Hamraoui, a former international and a close friend of the victim.

“I still, up to this moment, can't believe he's been killed. For me he's still alive, and so he will be because he's always engraved in the memories of the national football in general, and in the Casablanca history in particular.”

Beggar was born on Saturday, February 5, 1955 at Derb Bouchentouf, a Casablanca poor district. He joined Raja's football training academy at the age of 11. Having spent four years with the club's U-15s, he had his first success in his starting season with the U-17s, as he was crowned champion of the Maghreb Arab Tournament with Raja in 1969 in Fez, before taking part with the Green Eagles in the final of an international tournament held in France.

Beggar made his debut with Raja's seniors in 1972, and joined the national youth side in the same year. He had to wait until 1977 to win his first national title with the Greens, the Throne Cup, and to earn his first cap with the Atlas Lions, before joining the Saudi league with Al-Wahda in his first overseas professional experience.

Making a come-back to his mother club Raja Casablanca, after a two-year spell in the Gulf, Beggar lifted the second Throne Cup in his career. In 1985, he made a move to Wydad Casablanca, Raja's city rivals, where he stayed for a one-year run.

Beggar wrapped up his career where he set it off. He started as a Raja player, and ended as a trainer in the club's different sub-teams.

From God we come, and to Him we return.