Football great Mohamad Bakar dies aged 75

GEORGE TOWN: Former national player and football legend Datuk Mohamad Bakar passed away on Sunday (Nov 8) morning. He was 75.

Mohamad Bakar, who had been suffering from a bone marrow disease for a few years, succumbed to the illness at about 10.50am at the Universiti Sains Malaysia Advanced Medical and Dental Institute (IPPT).

Last month, the former Penang Footballers Association organised a special blood donation campaign after hearing that Mohamad Bakar is in need of blood transfusion to cure his illness.

Mohamad, 75, began his football career with Penang in the 1960s before joining the national squad which qualified for the 1972 Olympics in Munich, Germany.

He was also the assistant coach for the 1980 Moscow Olympics squad and Harimau Malaya head coach in 1985.

He was among the football greats of the nation during his playing career, and he starred alongside Datuk Soh Chin Aun and Santokh Singh.

Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, in his Facebook post, extended his condolences to the family of Mohamad Bakar.

The body of Mohamad Bakar is expected to be buried after Asar prayers at Teluk Ayer Tawar.