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Heartbroken Manickum says help the Elayyan family

Words: ACFC Media

Monday 18 March 2019

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC attacker and New Zealand Futsal international Dylan Manickum has made a heartfelt plea to the football community to help the family of his former international team-mate the late Atta Elayyan.

Elayyan was tragically killed in Friday's terrorist attack along with 49 other New Zealanders while almost the same number suffered terrible injuries.

A Givealittle fund has been set up to help the Elayyan family deal with the immediate stress set before them and Manickum is eager to help in anyway he can.

Manickum, who played Futsal for New Zealand alongside Elayyan, helped Auckland City FC finish the ISPS Handa Premiershp undefeated for the third time in their history after the Navy Blues thrashed Waitakere United 5-2 at Kiwitea Street yesterday.

Playing in the unfamiliar central attacking role, Manickum helped himself to two goals as a brace from Fabrizio Tavano and a late goal by substitute Maro Bonsu-Maro handed the Navy Blues a Super City derby win and a record haul of 52 points.

VALE | Further to the sad news that @attaelayyan (33) was killed in the Christchurch terror attacks, we are devastated to learn Tariq Omar (24) and Sayyad Milne (14) were also victims in this tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers go out to their families #TheyAreUs pic.twitter.com/7PxVdutlep
— New Zealand Football (@NZ_Football) March 18, 2019

After the game a heartbroken Manickum said that despite the satisfaction of an unbeaten run and record amount of points that his thoughts were with everyone affected by the horror of what took place two days previously in Christchurch.

Most of all, he was left shattered by the news that Atta has passed away and in such a senseless way.

“Atta was a team-mate and a friend who lit up the room when he walked into it and gave everyone a sense of reassurance, not only as a goalkeeper in our team, but as a person.

“He is irreplaceable and his passing has come as a terrible shock to all of us. The NZ football community is small and the Futsal community within it also small so this has affected everyone in a profound way.

“Our thoughts are with everyone touched by Friday’s tragedy and if you can help support Atta’s family by giving to this fund it would be greatly appreciated.

NEWS - Manickum calls for support of Atta Elayyan's family#NavyBlues Dylan Manickum calls for support for family of tragic ex-teammate struck down in last week's terrorist attack

Givealittle fund: https://t.co/oYDluPhYPQ

Manickum speaks: https://t.co/oBwBYSWCvB pic.twitter.com/PjXF33VhOV
— Auckland City FC (@AucklandCity_FC) March 18, 2019

“I’m travelling to Christchurch to be with his friends and family and to pay my respects and show solidarity in a way that I know Atta would approve," he told www.aucklandcityfc.com.

Elayyan, 33, won 19 caps for New Zealand and was named New Zealand Futsal Player of the Year in 2014.

He was first pick for the Canterbury United Futsal Dragons and coached the Christchurch Boys' High School futsal team set to compete in the National Secondary Schools tournament scheduled for March 25, 2019.

Two other members of the New Zealand football family also died as a result of the attack.

They were Sayyad Milne, 14, who played for his school team at Cashmere and 24-year-old Christchurch United player Tariq Omar.

Ends

Givealittle Page
Help Atta Elayyan's Family - click here to donate

Use of Funds
The funds will go to Farah directly to help her continue to raise their young daughter during this tragic time.