Abbas Mohamed Bandali
1977-2024
by Stanmore Jafferys
When someone of such enormous stature leaves us, it always shocks us to the core. At Stanmore Jafferys, we mourn the untimely passing of an amazing member of our club.
In everything he did, Abbas was dedicated, organised and displayed the highest standards whilst demanding the same from the people around him. Abbas loved his community, served and volunteered selflessly in doing what he was passionate about, serving the Ahlul Bayt (A.S.).
The majalis he was a huge part of every Muharram served us as a community and gave us even more opportunities to mourn Aba Abdillah and for that as a club and a community, we are eternally grateful. Inshallah, we can continue Abbas’s legacy into the future.
SJ CRICKET
Abbas was a keen cricketer and represented SJ with tremendous distinction. Not only did he play, he was also the SJ Cricket Coordinator during the early 2000s. During that time, SJ Cricket went through a period of major success, moving up the league from Division 4 to the Premier League in the Middlesex Asian Sunday League. During this time, SJ also won major honours by winning cup competitions.
Abbas was an integral member of the team with his accurate bowling. It was said by opponents how difficult he was to get away. His stock inswing was uncomfortable to play. He was a wily bowler who had control of pace, seam and swing.
Abbas was also a very resilient and mentally strong player. Many a time, he bailed SJ out with the bat. A famous match comes to mind, where on a cold and rainy summer day, SJ were in a crucial semi-final.
After skittling the opposition for a paltry 120, SJ had one of their infamous collapses at 80-9. Alongside his Uncle Asgherali Bandali, Abbas more than held his own and helped guide the team home to victory.
Abbas passed on this love for sport and cricket, especially to his sons Assadali and Ammarali. In the build-up to Unity Games, Abbas was a constant at nets bringing Ammar to train.
SJ Volleyball
Abbas was also a keen Volleyball player. He represented SJ in external tournaments as a serviceman. Everyone who has faced Abbas on the volleyball court will attest to how tough his services were to defend against and there has been many a crucial point that Abbas won for us with his deadly service ‘down the line’.
Over the last few years, post lockdown, when we received news of Abbas’s health challenges, Abbas, with his usual strength and fortitude faced his biggest fight with a smile on his face.
Through his Instagram channel documenting his journey and regular involvements with SJ fitness Head Zohaib Shariff, Abbas was an inspiration to many who saw his journey to better health and used his journey as inspiration to better themselves.
Abbas will be sorely missed at SJ, over the last few years, we have heavily relied upon Abbas via The Hubb to cater at almost every SJ event and the bond we built working together will be missed. We can only pray that the family is granted the patience to deal with the sad and untimely departure of a truly amazing personality and May Allah (SWT) bless him with a lofty position in Jannah – Ameen
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May Allah SWT repose the departed soul in the abundance of His mercy and rest him amongst the chosen ones – Aameen. We request our readers to remember marhum and all the Marhumeen with Sura-e-Fateha.
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