DATUK S. ANTHONYSAMY
Datuk S. Anthonysamy’s name may not ring a bell to the younger generation of Selangor football, but his name was synonymous with the Red Giants in the 60s to early 90s.
Anthonysamy who turns 86 on Dec 23, has been associated with
FA of Selangor from the early 60s before he became the Council member in 1968
and then secretary from 1974 to 1993 – spanning close to 30 years.
Anthonysamy with from left Rosminazam, veteran sport journalist, Datuk R. Yogeswaran, veteran hockey official and MP Haridas, veteran sport administrator
Among the early officials who began their association with FA
of Selangor include the late R. Ramalingam who was secretary, treasurer, and
vice-president of FA Selangor at various stages.
Both Anthonysamy and Ramalingam also served at FA of Malaysia
in various capacities.
Other notable veteran officials in the Klang Valley who
started off with Anthonysamy and Ramalingam include another former FA of
Selangor secretary, Salleh Ahmad (former secretary) and the late Datuk K. Rasalingam, together with
other members like late Datuk Goh Ah Chai, Hamzah Muhammad, M.J. Vincent,
Shariff Mustafa, late Jeswant Singh and T. Manickarajah, who were the breakaway
group from the FA Selangor to form Kuala Lumpur Football Association (then
Federal Territory Football Association) when they saw the need for another
association in the Klang Valley due to the growing numbers of clubs.
But Anthonysamy who may be a forgotten man today, was largely
responsible for the rise of Selangor football as an administrator – although as
an amateur – which many may not be able to match even in this professional era.
Of course, Anthonysamy received his fair share of brickbats
from his detractors but he took it all his stride to continue to work for the love
of football.
Anthonysamy has the rare distinction of having served
secretary of FA of Selangor under four Presidents – all Menteri Besars of
Selangor namely late Datuk Harun Idris, late Datuk Hormat Rafei, late Datuk
Ahmad Razali Ali and Tan Sri Muhammad Taib.
Anthonysamy saw the growth of FA of Selangor from their
office at the Petaling District FA office at PJ Club in Jalan Timor in the 60s,
then headquartered at the MCA building in Jalan
Ampang before
moving to their own office - Wisma FAS in 1973 at the Merdeka Stadium in Jalan
Maharajalela.
Anthoysamy was an active trade unionist while working for the
old Petaling Jaya Town Council before joining as an administrative officer with
Hume Industries, with the main function of running their sports club and so
began his association with FA of Selangor with his company football team
competing in the League.
It was Datuk Hormat who asked him to work fulltime with FA of Selangor
in 1986.
Selangor’s great achievements gave Anthonysamy his share of life’s
thrills.
Afterall, Selangor was the biggest football State then and their league
was exemplary, their Selangor team travelled more than the national team – for
example in 1978 the Selangor team went on a round-the world trip that took them
to Australia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Hawaii, Los Angeles, Japan,
and Hong Kong.
Anthonysamy standing far right with Selangor team in Perth in the early 80s during their playing tour and training stint. Coach was late datuk M. Chandran squatting first from left and assistant coach squatting far right current AFC general secretary Datuk Windsor Paul.
Selangor produced and lured good players and the best remembered is the
late Datuk Mokhtar Dahari.
“Mokhtar was so loyal a d so dedicated. A great captain. He was the best
on and off the field,” said Anthonysamy of Mokhtar.
He had his great personal moments too as football manager of Selangor.
FA of
Selangor was founded in 1905 to establish an internal state league and to manage
the league, called the Selangor Association Football League (SAFL). The first
cup competition was sponsored by the British Resident of Selangor, RG Watson.
There were also reports the association was led by British Residents at that
time.
In
1926, the internal crisis led some officials to withdraw from the association
and set up a separate association named Selangor Football Association (SFA).
The dispute between the SAFL and the SFA continued for almost ten years before
the two sides negotiated for the betterment of football future in the state of
Selangor. Finally, the two football entities officially merged on February 22,
1936, under the name of the Football Association (FAS) or Persatuan
Bola Sepak Selangor.
Tunku
Abdul Rahman was the first Malaysian president appointed in 1951
The
Independent MP for Bungsar (now known as Bangsar constituency and a teacher by
a profession, SCE Singam became the second official FAS president until 1953,
then later been replaced by K. Sundram. Between 1952 to 1955, the club won one
FAM Cup and become runners-up in the 1952 and 1955 FAM Cup competition.
But
it was under the leadership of Datuk Harun (1961–1982) for 21 years that Selangor won the Malaysia Cup 15 times.
These days, Anthonysamy hardly goes to the Stadium to watch a game
because of his ailing health, but that has not stopped him from keeping abreast
of the current football development.
“It is not fair to compare football of yesteryear and today because it
is totally a different era. Football has gone professional these days, and
everything is about money. Passion has taken a back seat,” said Anthonysamy
when as asked about football these days.
“We have seen glorious days both with Selangor and Malaysian football
when it was amateur. It should be even better these days with professionalism,
but sadly it has not reached its true potential.
“Great efforts are being made, there is big money and great facilities,
but I feel Malaysian football can be on a higher platform than it is today.
“I hope it realises its true potential soon,” was his parting words.
While Anthonysamy can bask in his glorious yesteryear achievements,
indeed Malaysian football can be better.
Anthonysamy with the scribe
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