A.
THIAYAGA RAJU proved passion and
patriotism are very much alive.
The 55-year-old, who has been a fan of the Singapore national team
since he was 12, forked out S$8,000 (RM25,000) to organise a “Singapore Legends
Appreciation Night” on Sunday at Ceylon Sports Club.
Thiayaga is not a wealthy person nor was he seeking publicity.
What he did was a genuine gesture and for the love of Singapore football and
his appreciation to players who brought glory through the Malaysia Cup.
Thiayaga recalled: “I became a fan on Sunday May 26, 1974.
“I went to National Stadium for the first time to watch Singapore
play Penang in a Malaysia Cup first leg semifinal.
“I was 12. When my friends and I arrived at the stadium, we saw
thousands of fans climbing the stadium gates and high walls.
“We did likewise not knowing we were entering the stadium
illegally. There were about 70,000 fans inside (capacity was only 60,000).
“Fans risking limb and life to watch Singapore footballers amazed
me.
“Three years later, Singapore reached the Malaysia Cup final which
they won 3-2 in extratime with Quah Kim Song bagging a brace. I started hero
worshipping many of the players.
“It remains the greatest day in Singapore football.”
Among those from that team present at the appreciation dinner were
Kim Song, Roy Krishnan, Lim Teng Sai, Seak Poh Leong and family members of the
late Dollah Kassim and Lim Chiew Peng.
Thiayaga wrote a letter to newspapers asking for the legends to be
recognised and honoured. Despite it being published, there were no interested
parties.
“Even more disappointing, the FA of Singapore did not respond,”
said Thiayaga, who then decided to organise the dinner on his own.
“It was my passion for the game and my appreciation of the many
legends who gave me and Singapore fans many joyous and memorable moments,” said
Thiayaga, who is married to Kuek Sook Chern and has two children — T. Yuvarani,
21 and T. Ajit Kumar, 19.
Thiayaga also had Malaysian heroes like N. Thanabalan, Soh Chin
Aun, Santokh Singh, M. Chandran and the late Isa Bakar to name a few.
“Isa who played for Penang in 1972, became a good friend when I
launched my book on Terry Pathmanathan (Captain Marvel: The T.
Pathmanathan Story) at SRC Padang in 1998,” said
Thiayaga.
“Isa wanted me to write a similar book on Malaysian football
legends and even offered me to stay in his house for six months to write it.
But I couldn’t as I’m not able to spend so much time away from home.”
Thiayaga said organising the event honouring them was a dream come
true and he was grateful that a large number of those invited turned up,
especially from the Malaysia Cup victorious Singapore teams of 1977 (beat
Penang 3-2), 1980 (beat Selangor 2-1), and 1994 (beat Pahang 4-0).
The night began with a video presentation of Singapore’s golden
moments in the Malaysia Cup.
Thiayaga had 54 plaques to be presented to people who had
contributed to Singapore football, including footballers, family members and
sports journalists from Singapore and Malaysia. Only 45 were present to receive
their plaques.
From left, Rocky Lim, national coach V Sundramoorthy, Lions legends Quah Kim Song and Samad Allapitchay, diehard fan A Thiyaga Raju, head coach of youth Fandi Ahmad, former national player Ho Kwang Hock and veteran radio DJ Brian Richmond. PHOTO: COURTESY OF CHOO PHOTOS
The event was emceed by veteran sports commentator, radio DJ, former national youth player and coach, Brian Richmond.
The event was emceed by veteran sports commentator, radio DJ, former national youth player and coach, Brian Richmond.
Godfrey Robert, a former Sports Editor of The Straits Times and Consulting Editor of The New Paper and veteran sports journalist Joe Dorai (Straits Times) were honoured from the Singaporean media while Dan Guen Chin and
this scribe were honoured from across the causeway.
Malaysian footballers honoured were Chin Aun and Thanabalan.
Thiayaga should be applauded for his effort and determination to
recognise the footballing legends of Singapore.
Thiayaga as an individual shown the way for Singaporeans and it’s
about time Malaysia’s ex-internationals be given due recognition.
Footballers
honoured:
Fandi Ahmad, V.
Sundram Moorthy, S. Rajagopal, Samad Allapitchay, T. Pathmanathan, R.
Suriamurthi, Quah Kim Song, Roy Krishnan, Robert Sim, Lim Teng Sai, Lim Tien
Jit, Malek Awab, K. Kannan
D. Devaraj, Salim
Moin, Haslir Ibrahim, Razali Saad, Yahya Madon, Ho Kwang Hock, Samsudin Rahmat, Seak Poh Leong,
Dollah Kassim, Lim Chiew Peng and Brian Richmond.
TONY is a sports journalist
with close to four decades of experience
and is passionate about local
sports.
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