KAMPUNG BOY KIM SENG SHOWS THERE IS LIFE AFTER FOOTBALL

Tony Mariadass

Taking every challenge with a positive approach see’s Kim Seng rise to conquer

BANTING: Former international defender, See Kim Seng, is proof that there is life after football, if one plans well, works hard, willing to face challenges, be prudent and keep one’s feet firm on the ground always.

The 56-year-old father of five daughters, who grew up at Kampong Kelanang, Banting, has come a long way to establish himself as a successful businessman, since he last played for Negri Sembilan in 1994.

He has managed a heavy machinery business successfully from 1995 to 2013, before recession saw him fold the business, then set up his own heavy machinery company for a few years, and after his last job during the building of KLIA 2, decided to go into managing a golf driving range at the Desa Driving Range at Shah Alam – his second, after the first in Bandar Baru Kelang in 2015, where his contract of the range was not renewed after three years - and now runs a seafood restaurant – Attapka – since February.

Kim Seng who took up golfing after football and was a single handicapper, also runs a coaching clinic for children at his range, but now has asked his friend to run it, because he has to concentrate on his seafood restaurant.

“I was lucky that I had people who were willing to assist me and my name as a footballer helped. But in the end, I had to prove myself and work hard to make the business successful,” said Kim Seng who had a tough life growing up.

“For instance, it was friend and my football fan, who asked to set up the heavy machinery business. The current golf range owner - David Lee Cheng Chew – has given me a good rental price as his business was down and wanted to turn it around. The seafood business belonged to my youngest brother (Kim Huat), who asked me to take over as his health was ailing.

“I come from a family of seven and was the fifth. As a 12-year-old I used to follow my late father (See Thiam Sem) who ran a fruit shop, to buy coconuts and fruits, from plantations by bicycle first before he got a motorcycle.

“Coming from a small town and kampong, I knew what hardship was all about and was always prudent and saved whatever I could for a rainy day.

“It is not how much you earn, but how much you can safe. A father can give his son 1 million ringgit, but it will all come to nought if the son does not know how to utilise the money well.

“I was very careful not to be distracted by the bright city lights when I played football. I did not earn much as compared to players these days, but I managed to safe and did not spend unnecessarily or spoil myself.”

Kim Seng said life was no different in his football career where he had to work hard and make sacrifices.

“Nothing came was on a silver platter,” said Kim Seng

Kim Seng started playing football as a striker, as a kampong boy with estate players near his home.

Chinese educated at his primary school SRJK Simpan Morib and later at SM Sg Manggis till Form Three and in SMK Telok Datuk, he first played for his school teams, before turning out for the Kuala Langat District team in the Selangor premier league.

It was with the district team that Kim Seng was spotted by the late international midfield maestro Wong Choon Wah, was who playing for Selangor Chinese Recreation Club (SCRC), when playing in the league match in Banting.

“Choon Wah and the team officials offered me a job and asked to come to the city and play for them. When I told them I was only 16 and still in school, they were surprised,” said See laughing aloud who said he was well built then itself from all the hard work he had to undergo.

“They then asked me to play for them on match days and I would travel to KL taking a bus on game day in the afternoon and return home about 10pm. My older brother (Ah Hock) would wait at the bus stand in Banting and bring me home on his motorcycle.”

Kim Seng went on to play for Selangor schools in the Rahman Cup and Razak Cup and donned national colours in the Asean Schools football championship for two years – 1981 in Jakarta and 1982 in Bangkok where he captained the team.

It was in 1984, that he was selected to the Selangor team and with a star-studded team with the likes of the late Mokhtar Dahari, K. Rajagobal, Norbit Shah and other notable names, he warmed the bench and only played one match against Armed Forces.

Next year, frustrated, he returned to just play in the Selangor league for SCRC. It was here that late Chow Kwai Lam spotted him and took him to play for Kuala Lumpur in late 1986.

See  Kim Seng (right) in KL colurs in defence with teammate Chow Siew Yai

It was Dr Josef Veglos who took charge of the KL team in 1987, that converted Kim Seng from a striker to a defender. He played for KL till 1992 (wining the Malaysia Cup for a record three times – 1987-1989), before moving to Negri Sembilan for two years before he called it quits.

Kim Seng standing back row far right with KL Malaysia Cup team with their trophies  1988 treble champions Malaysia Cup, League Cup and Charity Shield

As a national player he has a winner’s medal from the 1989 Sea Games under English coach Trevor Hartley and a 1993 Merdeka tournament medal under Australian coach Ken Worden besides playing in the World Cup and Asian Cup qualifiers and King’s Cup in Thailand where he captained the team.

“I am glad that I have managed my life well after football and in something totally unrelated to football. My advice to young footballers is not just look at jobs related to football after the playing days. Venture out and take whatever opportunities are available and work hard it to make it a success.

“I am also glad that besides having done well in business, I have also educated my children well and also got them involved in sports,” said Kim Seng proudly, whose wife, Wong Show Mei was a Tanggak district volleyball player.

His youngest daughter, See Wye, who turns 13 on Aug 29, is his apple of the eye and competes in the SportsExcel Junior Golf Circuit and has represented SportExcel at the New Delhi Junior Open championship last year.

See Wye a student of SMK Bukit Jelutong, also excels rhythmic gymnastics having had podium finishes in several events, including the Vitrigo International Championship, Pesta Gimnastik (champion, group exercise) and the Selangor Schools Sports Council (MSSS) competition.

Kim Seng said he is equally proud of his other siblings, See Min, 26, (former Bukit Jalil Sports School and wushu junior national champion and now nutritionist at National Sports Institute), See Man, 23, (third year law student at Multimedia University, See Moon, 22 (graduate in Language from Universiti Malaya specialising in Italian) and See Won, 21 (waiting for entry to University). Both See Moon and See Won, also represented Selangor schools in rhythmic gymnastics.

Kim Seng with his princess standing from left  see Min, See Mon, See Man and See Won  and seated from left wife Doris Wong Show Mei and youngest daughter See Wye

 “I tried to get my other daughters involved in golf but they complained it was too hot. See Wye was different. She didn’t complain about the heat at all and from the way she swings the club and I saw natural talent” said Kim Seng of See Wye whom he introduced to the game when she was eight.

While Kim Seng admitted that he spends most of his time now at his seafood restaurant, starting as early as 7am to buy the seafood from the fishing village and open his shop from 11am to midnight, he was not going to neglect to see See Wye become a top women golfer.

His wife now manages the driving range besides her own business of cleaning services.

Former veteran international. a member of the 1972 Munich Oympics qualifying tournament in Seoul, V. Kalimutu, drops by at Attapa Seafood to support Kim Seng

While Kim Seng does not do the cooking and has hired experienced cooks, he is still busy at the restaurant taking orders, managing the cash register and making sure the food is served fast besides being the public relation man talking to his customers.

Kim Seng taking order at his restaurant

Kim Seng keeps his prices very affordable because most of his customers are from Banting and not all of them are doing well.

He also sponsors one or two tables each other for poor families around the area working with the Community Service centres.

Among his specialities and favourites among his customers are Pari Fish Curry, Fried sotong, Dried chilli chicken and Chilli Crab.

Nestled in a shed of trees, the hut-styled seating for privacy or for bigger groups at the main restaurant, it is Located at Lot 325, Jalan Pulau Banting, 42700, Banting, and open from 11.30am to 11.00pm.

ENDS

Merdeka Stadium survives test of time and development

By Tony Mariadass

HAPPY 63TH MERDEKA DAY

Grand Old Lady serves as a reminder to the younger generation of the nation's history

 Merdeka Stadium overall view when its capacity was 40,000 pix from visitKL portal

As Malaysia celebrates its 63^rd Independence Day today, Malaysians indeed must feel blessed and be grateful that the historic Merdeka Stadium, which is still standing, bears testimony to Malaya's (as we were then known) 'fight' for freedom from British rule.

Many make the mistake of thinking that Malaya obtained independence at this iconic stadium when in actual fact the Nation was born on the grounds of the Selangor Padang (now known as Dataran Merdeka) at the stroke of midnight on Aug 31,1957, witnessed by thousands of proud Malayans, when the Union Jack was lowered for the last time (signifying an end to British rule and 446 years of colonisation) and the flag of the Federation of Malaya was raised for the first time.

At the Merdeka Stadium the ensuing morning was where the proclamation of independence was held as more than 20,000 witnessed the ceremony which began at 9.30am that Saturday morning.

Today, on land which once stood majestically and known as Coronation Park with its own 9-hole golf course, the Merdeka Stadium took shape, but it is now dwarfed by surrounding sky-scrappers which includes the nearly-completed 118-storey Menara Warisan Merdeka, which when it opens its doors, will be the tallest building in Kuala Lumpur.

Pix by S. Morgan

Currently, the road leading up to this grand stadium is a make-shift, beaten-up cement path running through the construction site – an eye sore not befitting the surroundings of the Grand Old Lady.

But it is hoped that when construction is finally completed next year, the Independence Stadium, will be accorded the respect it deserves and will become an iconic landmark, just like Menara Warisan.

Currently, the stadium is still used occasionally for friendly football matches.

To recap on the history of the Stadium Merdeka – it was constructed in record time with the first piece of earthworks starting on 25 September 1956 and the last stone laid on 21 August 1957. The stadium was designed by architect Stanley Edward Jewkes.

It was on Sept 18,1955 when Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, then Chief Minister of Malaya, announced that arrangements were being made for the construction of a million-dollar sports stadium.

That this historic and sacred landmark could have been reduced to ashes in the name of development in 2001, is beyond imagination. But thanks to Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) and their then chairman Tan Sri Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid’s concerted effort made to conserve and preserve the stadium, that it is still standing today.

The stadium and its land were given to a private company - United Engineers Malaysia Berhad (UEM) - which had intended to redevelop the land into a RM 1 billion entertainment and office complex. In exchange, the company was required to build seven other stadiums in other locations. However, the company did not proceed with the redevelopment due to public outcry and the company's financial difficulties due to the 1990s Asian economic crisis.

It was then that PNB took over from UEM.

Ahmad Sarji, widely known for his dedication to preserve history, saw in February 2003 the Merdeka Stadium together with the indoor Stadium Negara (a stone’s throw away) named national heritage buildings by the Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry.

 In 2007, Merdeka Stadium underwent restoration to its original 1957 condition as part of Malaysia’s 50th anniversary plans to relive the moment when Tunku Abdul Rahman proclaimed independence there. The restoration was completed by December 2009, and not surprisingly received the UNESCO Asia-Pacific 2008 Award of Excellence for Cultural Heritage Conservation.

With restoration completed, the 45,000-capacity stadium was reduced to 20,000, which meant that several of the upper terrace blocks built over the years were demolished.

The Merdeka Stadium, besides serving as a reminder of our independence, also has a long history of playing host to popular sporting and entertainment events till the mid-90s when the Bukit Jalil National Stadium was built.

It was Tunku's vision which saw the birth of the Merdeka football tournament that soon became a prestigious annual event in Asia. The Asian Youth tournament which followed two years later was also Tunku's brainchild.

Football was the draw-card held at the Merdeka Stadium where Hong Kong were the inaugural winners before Malaya won the next year in 1958.

The Merdeka Stadium also proudly hosted two SEAP (South East Asia Peninsula) Games and two Sea Games (1965, 1971, 1977 and 1989), Merdeka tournaments (from 1957 to 1995), 1975 World Cup hockey semifinals and final and numerous international track and field championships.

It was also the venue for international concerts including the Michael Jackson concert in October 1996, which not surprisingly, filled the 55,000 capacity stadium for two nights. Other international artistes and bands who performed at the Stadium included Cliff Richard and The Shadows, Stevie Wonder, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Justine Bieber, Jennifer Lopez, Avril Lavigne, A.R. Rahman, BackStreet Boys, Linkin Park, Kool and the Gang, just to name a few.How can anyone forget Muhammad 'The Greatest' Ali mixing it up with Britain's Joe Bugner over 15 rounds in the ring on July 1,1975?

It was also the FA of Selangor’s home ground for their League and Malaysia Cup campaign from 1957 to 1994.

For me personally, the Merdeka Stadium is part and parcel of my being as I have been associated with it since my 1^st birthday.

My association with the stadium dates back to 1959 when I had my first birthday party thrown by my late parents, at the canteen.

During my school days with St John Institution, I used to run on the bitumen track during our school’s sports day and also played in the 1975 Selangor Schools football final against La Salle Petaling Jaya and won the title.

I watched the 1975 hockey World Cup semifinals and final, from the terraces as a schoolboy.

And from the early 80s when I became a sports journalist, the Merdeka Stadium was my second home as I covered numerous football, track and field events, including the 1989 Sea Games football final which Malaysia won after 12 years of trying beating Singapore 3-1.

I still remember the ‘Fish Head Restaurant’ at the Merdeka Stadium which was a must stop before covering any football match.

Also, I watched numerous concerts at the stadium.

The Merdeka Stadium, with its unblemished character, is without doubt the heart and soul of Malaysian sports, and all national stadiums, are objects of pride with history, which must stand tall always.

The Malaysian flag being hoisted at the Merdeka Stadium

FOOTBALLER KICKOFF NEW FISH HEAD CURRY CONTAINER EATERY

OPINION

Tony Mariadass

 FMT

July 18, 2020 8:00 AM

‘Our pride’: The SS combination of Shahul (left) and Saravanan showing off their container restaurant.

KUALA LUMPUR: Two former Kuala Lumpur FC players have gone from cooking up a storm on the football pitch to owning a container restaurant selling fish head curry.

Ex-City skipper and defender P Saravanan and midfielder Shahul Hameed looked for another challenge to tackle and are now calling the shots at Kari Kepala Ikan Shahul in Cheras.

Hard times needed them to think out of the box, so the old friends decided to convert a cargo container into a restaurant and plop it on 1/199, Taman Bukit Hijau, Taynton View.

Saravanan, 47, lost his sole source of income when he had to abruptly close his 12-year-old football academy due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Shahul, also 47, was looking for a food business opportunity after selling his restaurant to help his son, Ash, achieve his dream of becoming a top footballer.

Restoran Kari Kepala Ikan Shahul in Taynton View, Cheras, joins a few food joints in the Klang Valley that were built using cargo containers.

Fate brought the KL youth teammates together and they set their plan in motion with a capital of RM60,000.

They decided to do fish head curry and biryani rice besides other street fare. The food is prepared by a hired cook and Shahul’s relatives.

Saravanan said they opened for business on June 24 and due to a surge in patrons operate from 7am-midnight.

It has become a meeting place for their former teammates and other sportsmen, he added.

Old buddies meet for lunch: (From Left): A Singam, and former KL FC footballers G Muthu, M Eswaran, Shahul, S Saravanan, Fareez Prem Raj and M Chandran

“It’s hard work but these are difficult times and we have to double up on our efforts just as we did on the pitch,” said Shahul, who played for the KL Razak Cup and the national Under-18 teams in the late 80s.

“Nothing comes easy and we will focus on the business and hopefully expand it,” said Shahul whose playing career ended prematurely in 1991 due to injuries.

Saravanan said he was glad business was picking up as it proved that hard work does bring rewards.

He said he was disappointed that footballers were selling their winner’s medals to overcome hardship, referring to star players Khalid Jamlus and Jamsari Sabian, who recently caused a stir when they parted with their prized memorabilia.

Saravanan hopes to restart his football academy at Cochrane Road now that contact training is allowed under the Covid-19 recovery movement control phase.

BLOG VERSION 

Tony Mariadass

 Ex-footballers venture into Kari Kepala Ikan business

Hard times needs one to think out of the box and be innovative.

That’s exactly what two former Kuala Lumpur footballer players, ex-youth player Shahul Hameed and former city team skipper, P. Saravanan, did when they opened a Kari Kepala Ikan restaurant, but through a container cabin concept in Cheras last month.

The 47-year-old Saravanan has been running youth football academy – Kelab Bolasepak Pro Harimau Remaja - since 2008, but the Covid 19 pandemic saw his centre closed since March 19 and lost his sole source of income.

Shahul, also 47, was looking for a food business opportunity after earlier he had to sell of his food business restaurant to relatives as he was concentrating to assist his third son – Ash – to achieve his dreams to become a footballer.

“I was already looking for another business to supplement my income with football academy. And when Covid 19 crippled my football academy and became desperate to look for another avenue to earn some money,” said Saravanan who played centreback for the KL Youth team (1990 -1995) and KL M-League team from 1996-1999.

“I had seen this site earlier and was impressed with the container cabin concept. There was a restaurant called ‘Big Sam Curry House’ being run here.

“I spoke to the owner early this year as I heard he was looking for someone to take over the business. But when Covid hit us, I decided, I will pursue the business.

“But I wanted to change the concept and Shahul, who was my youth teammate and whom was running his father’s food business and later his owner, was the first person that came to mind.

“We met and discussed and decided that we will do Kari Kepala Ikan and Nasi Beryani as our speciality, besides the other normal Mamak food.

“We pooled our resources together and made the previous owner a sleeping partner and refurbished the place and had to fork out a start capital of RM60,000.

“And we opened for business on June 24, initially from 11am to 10pm and now midnight. But because of popular demand from residences in this area who wanted us to serve breakfast too, we now open from 7.00am.”

Shahul said when Saravanan approached him, it was timely as he was looking for a business.

“It is hard work, but although we are still in our early days, business is reasonably good and we thank many of our footballer friends and other contacts for supporting us,” said Shahul who played striker or left midfielder for Selangor Piala Rahman and Razak Cup in 1988 before moving to play for the KL Razak Cup 1989.

He also played for the national Under-18 team under M. Karathu before he was injured. He laid off for year and returned to train with Asian Schools tournament in 1991 but another leg injury saw his career end prematurely.

“I then helped out my father’s stall business from 1991, got married and then started my own restaurant after that,” said Shahul who has five children.

“Then my son, Ash, showed interest in football and was very talented left footed striker. I decided to take him to England in 2008 as a 13-year-old and with very little knowledge of how to go about things, tried to get him to join Arsenal football academy.

“But not making much headway, I came back with my son. But I went back the following two years later and managed to get him into the QPR training programme as a 15-year-old for two years.

“He was even offered a scholarship, but ran into hitches when he did not attain study visa and finally returned back to Malaysia again.

“I would have spent easily RM100,00, but he went to play local football with Real Mulia FC (Pahang), Kelantan and KL, before injury forced him out of the game. He now a national Teqball player.”

Both Shahul and Saravanan said that they are glad that their business is picking up and it only shows that if one is willing to work hard and even venture to new areas, the rewards will be there.

“We now hear of players wanting to sell football medals and their golden boot because they are going through a hard patch. I still have my medals won during my school days. These are all prized possessions,” said Saravanan who had a short stint with the national team too in 1991 and has a FA Cup winners medal with KL in 1991 when he skippered the team.

Saravanan said he will continue to have his academy and will operate again when contact training is allowed next month.

Right now, both Shahul and Saravanan have their hands full with their new business at 1/199, Taman Bukit Hijau, Taynton View, Cheras.