Ashfaq appointed as director-general at Parliament speaker’s residence

Former Maldivian football captain Ali ‘Dhangadey’ Ashfaq has been appointed as the director-general of Muraidhooge, the official residence of the Parliament’s speaker, Abdul Raheem Abdulla.

Though Ashfaq has yet to officially retire from football, the Maldivian football league on season break.

Parliament’s communications director Hassan Ziyau told Sun on Tuesday that Ashfaq was appointed to the post at the end of July.

But he did not disclose the salary that comes with the job or any other details.

Ashfaq’s appointment comes after veteran reporter Adam ‘Mundoo’ Haleem was appointed as chief of staff of the speaker’s residence on July 25.

Ashfaq has been frequent spotted in events with Abdul Raheem’s son, Ibrahim Faisal, the country’s tourism minister. Both Faisal and Ashfaq had joined in the celebrations held in L. Funadhoo in April when Abdul Raheem was elected to the Parliament.

Ashfaq is often considered one of the best footballers that Maldives has produced. In addition to playing for top clubs in the Maldives, he also played for Malaysia’s PDRM FC.

He is placed third in English sports media, GiveMeSport (GMS)’s list of professional footballers who scored the most hat tricks since 2000, with 35 hat-tricks.