Tears, rage and a brave comeback by a wronged player Faisal

AFTER the press conference, many needed a few hours to get over it. The emotions flowed freely – hardened newsmen were in tears, other were in a rage.

I, for one, could not gather my thoughts well.

It was so hard to see a professional football player - one who had graced the field with goals, dribbling and celebrations and who had greeted reporters off-field with a thousand-watt smile - looking so frail, distraught and down in the dumps.

Still, there was an air of defiance about Faisal Halim when he made his first public appearance on Wednesday after the tragic acid attack a month ago.

Faisal - Mickey to his fans - could light up any stage with his smile but when he took off his cap and shades at the Selangor Football Training Centre, there was an eerie silence.

And when images of wounds he suffered were shared, there were gasps of disbelief. It was bad enough seeing him with his scars, but those injuries touched a raw nerve.

Who could have committed such an heinous act on such an affable lad?

The trauma was obvious. Faisal feared for his life and that of his loved ones.

But he was defiant. He did not want to hide forever, but still had questions over how long it would take before he could lead a normal life again.

Mickey even suggested that it is time to be “arrogant” if that was the best for him. He had been too good with everyone, so approachable even to his enemies.

I do not know if he has enemies but it shows how deep the emotional scar is. He needs not just treatment for the wounds but also psychological help to get over the trauma.

Returning to the field is one thing, but being normal again is another.

The fear, anxiety and anguish were clear for all to see. “I could not hug my son for a month,” he said.

The child is just four, and the father in him could not bear the separation.

And there was anger too. He has not been updated by the police about his case since he was in ICU - and it has been more than a month!

A national figure, disfigured by acid and still kept in the dark. The apathy is unbelievable. He has questions, and no answers.

All he wanted to do was to play the beautiful game, but he will not be remembered for his genius on the field. Instead, the scars on his face and arm are the permanent memories.

He questions his own purpose - is this what all the hard work was for? And he seeks closure - that can only come when the perpetrators are caught and made to pay.

So far, the police have been of little help. There have been no updates, no leads. Instead, there have been conflicting stories, even of the attack itself. The fact Selangor had to hire lawyers to get answers says a lot.

What Faisal went through should not happen to anyone. Facing the press was the first step in his battle to say that he would not be cowed. He said he wants to return to the field, and the whole nation wants that to happen

He is a brave lad on the field, and off it too. A bunch of cowards with some acid are not about to take him down.

His comeback story will be in Malaysian football folklore ... We look forward to continuing penning more of his stories, documenting his return and telling these tales to future generation.

For now, let’s ensure that our boy, despite his small stature, can achieve his big dreams of playing in the best stages, whether club or international football.

Faisal, kamu kuat! We are with you! And we want to see you doing customary celebration, with thousands of Siuuus in the stadiums.