Namat pumps his fist in the air as Dollah Salleh (in chequered shirt) and Reduan Abdullah (second from right) look on. Other football players include Mat Zan Mat Aris (left, in yellow), and Razif Ismail (in white, third from right).

GEORGE TOWN:

The who’s who of Malaysian football came in droves to greet unwell legendary defender Namat Abdullah at a homestay in Balik Pulau on Tuesday.

Over 30 former national footballers, including Dollah Salleh, Reduan Abdullah and N Baskaran had a day to remember as they rekindled fond memories.

Namat, wheelchair-bound following a stroke and now battling intestinal cancer, was showered with love by his ex-teammates. The former national skipper was in town for a medical check-up.

FMT’s story on the 74-year-old’s frail condition prompted the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, to send his old friends to visit Namat at his daughter’s home in Taiping two weeks ago.

Namat’s spirits were lifted seeing his fellow players from the 60s and 70s.

“It’s a big motivation for me to keep fighting,”

“I’m thankful to the King for his big gesture and generosity.

“He has been a big supporter of national football, including the veterans and I want to tell him that I’m okay,” Namat told FMT.

Royal friend

Penang-born Namat and “good friend” Sultan Abdullah go back a long way – they were once teammates at an invitational tournament for ex-footballers in Pahang.

“I fondly remember playing with Tengku Abdullah (as he was known then). He also took us to different countries in Southeast Asia for matches,” Namat recalled.

“He has a big heart.”

When Arsenal bit the dust

Namat, capped 115 times for Malaysia, said the country’s footballing talent from the 60s to the 80s were in a different class.

He counts the 2-0 friendly win over English giants Arsenal in 1975 at Stadium Merdeka as an unforgettable moment.

The late Mokhtar Dahari scored both goals for the national team that night.

“We went up against the likes of George Armstrong.

“Our team was the first to beat a touring Division 1 (the old English top flight) side,” he reminisced.

Their exploits earned them praise from the late Arsenal manager Bertie Mee whose team won the league and FA Cup double in the 70-71 season.

Namat Abdullah, with former football players at a homestay in Balik Pulau. In jersey no 10 is his youngest brother and ex-Penang state player Riduan Abdullah, 54.

When training meant charging up hills

Being a coach himself, Namat knows the rigours of training.

He said: ““Training back then included charging up the hills and cross-country running.

“The coaches played with you. There was a personal touch.

“Now, they just cross their arms and watch from the sidelines,” Namat lamented.

“We need a good mix of juniors and seniors (these days). There should be just one coach.

“I see two coaches training a goalkeeper. That is ridiculous.”

From prison warden to football hero

Namat first kicked a ball during his primary education at SK Sungai Gelugor. He later played for the Royal Air Force and Marine Sports Club.

Soon, Namat was drafted into the Under-21 Penang Burnley Cup team.

He made his national debut in 1968 at the Merdeka tournament, which Malaysia won after beating Burma 3-0 in the final.

As a Prisons officer, Namat served the Penang Prison (1965-1983), Prison Officer Training Centre in Taiping (1983-1997) and finally the Sungai Petani Prison until his retirement in 2001.

“In the early days, after clocking out at 4pm, I would head straight to the City Stadium to train. That’s how my footballing career took shape.”

Biggest honour

Pulling on the national jersey filled Namat with immense pride.

“Malaysian badge on my chest – my biggest honour.

“Malaysia qualifying for the 1972 Munich Olympic Games was a proud moment.”

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