By JARROD POTTER
The simplest of tributes was given to the late Rahat Khan by his beloved North Dandenong Sharks on Sunday.
The Sharks asked all of its South East Juniors football teams – in the under-10s, under-12s and under-14s – to don black armbands on in honour of Khan, 20, from Dandenong who passed away on Tuesday evening after he was shot and killed in Melbourne northern suburb Dallas.
North Dandenong cricket team-mate Stefan De Silva described him as an unbelievable talent who supporters couldn’t wait to see head out to the middle – whether in cricket or footy.
“First met Rahat and brother Javid Khan when they came to the club – would’ve only been none or 10,” De Silva said.
“Raw talent, but he was just like a fish to water when it came to cricket and then same deal with footy – him and (Clay) McCartney, memories of those two playing around at the club – even after juniors and seniors had finished they would hang around and play at the club.
“His passion for cricket was great and it’s hard to deal with as you can imagine as it’s still raw.”
North Dandenong football team-mate Jayden Macdonald remembered Khan as the person everyone looked up to – whether it was on or off the field – and he set an amazing standard as one of the club’s Muslim footballers.
“He was just a happy dude, always smiling and always wanted to be on the field and played for as many teams as he could,” Macdonald said.
The Sharks’ best and fairest and premiership star won the 2010 DDJFL league best-and-fairest, as well as an interleague representative.
The under-14s in particular excelled on Sunday, taking a 7.12 (54) to 6.12 (48) triumph over Narre Warren.
Victoria Police said on Monday they had made an arrest in regard to Khan’s death, with Dallas resident Kamil Yucel remanded at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Saturday 16 July to return for a filing hearing on Wednesday 20 July.
