Sport in the UAE has come to a halt as a mark of respect to Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, son of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, who died of a heart attack on Saturday.

Three days of mourning have begun in the Emirates after the 33-year-old’s death.

He was laid to rest at Bur Dubai’s Umm Hurair cemetery on Saturday night a process that saw a trio of Arabian Gulf League matches moved to Monday, with other events such as the semi-finals of the inaugural Dubai International Junior Basketball and final day of the Sheikha Hind Women’s Sports Tournament also being postponed.

“Today, I lost a best friend and a childhood companion, my dear brother Rashid,” said Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council. “You will be missed.”

Sheikh Rashid, a graduate of the UK’s Sandhurst Military Academy, was a prominent and successful sportsman, winning individual and team endurance golds in the equestrian events at the 15th Asian Games in 2006. He was also an accomplished horse racing enthusiast, owning Zabeel Racing International and leading the individual owners list an unprecedented five times with more than 428 wins. 

His interest in sports extended to the UAE Olympic Committee, for whom he was chairman from 2008-12. He was a founding member of Dubai Sports and Cultural Club, acting as chairman until his brother Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum took up the position in 2005. He was also known to be a keen football fan, with Manchester United his team of choice. 

“With our believing hearts, we would like to offer our deep and honest condolences to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum,” Dubai Sports Council tweeted.

Al Ain had been scheduled to host Sharjah in the AGL, while Al Shabab were due to meet newly-promoted Dibba Al Fujairah and Al Nasr slated in to face Al Wasl in the Bur Dubai derby. Those games will go ahead on Monday at the original kick-off times, meaning Al Ahli’s home clash against Al Dhafra will be moved to 20.15 GST.

Al Ain and UAE superstar Omar Abdulrahman led the football tributes to Sheikh Rashid, tweeting an Islamic prayer: “May God forgive him and bless his family and may heaven be his home.”

The upset extended to non-Emiratis, with Ahli boss Cosmin Olaroiu stating: “It’s a very tough moment, sometimes football comes second place in life. But we have to continue with our job, which is the match with Al Dhafra.”

Al Nasr chairman Marwan bin Ghalita extended his club’s commiserations, saying: “God gives and takes and all we have to do is thank him. May he forever be blessed by heaven.”