KAMUNTING: Datuk Namat Abdullah has achieved what many can only dream of - playing football in the Olympics, but he has one dear wish – that the sporting heroes of the past are not forgotten.
He fears that he and his glorious teammates of 1972 are a forgotten lot.
He claimed that the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) had not made any serious attempt to either reconnect or recognise the achievements of that great team which made the country proud by playing at the Munich Olympics.
“I have not been invited to any of their events nor have there been any attempts to visit me, even when I was sick,” said Namat, who is suffering from intestinal cancer, and recuperating at his son-in-law Dzulizwar Bakir’s house in Kamunting.
“FAM do not remember people like us, the old players are forgotten. Maybe, they do not have the time.
“I hope people don’t get me wrong. We are not hoping for huge appreciation, awards or monetary gain. All of us created history by making it to the Olympics, so, it will be nice if we are remembered for that.
“Even a visit or a text message when I was sick would have lifted my spirit.”
He was, however, appreciative of the National Athletes Welfare Foundation (Yakeb) for their regular visits and warm gestures.
Although wheelchair-bound, the 74-year-old was open to the idea of a reunion with the batch of 1972.
“I’ve not seen many of my teammates for ages, some since 1975,” he said.
“A few visited me when I was sick.
“That was nice as we got to catch up.
“Some have passed on (the recent one being V. Krishanasamy), and some are sick.”
Asked if he was willing to travel if FAM could host a reunion, Namat was quick to answer: “Yes, for sure. It would be great to meet with old friends.”
He fears that he and his glorious teammates of 1972 are a forgotten lot.
He claimed that the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) had not made any serious attempt to either reconnect or recognise the achievements of that great team which made the country proud by playing at the Munich Olympics.
“I have not been invited to any of their events nor have there been any attempts to visit me, even when I was sick,” said Namat, who is suffering from intestinal cancer, and recuperating at his son-in-law Dzulizwar Bakir’s house in Kamunting.
“FAM do not remember people like us, the old players are forgotten. Maybe, they do not have the time.
“I hope people don’t get me wrong. We are not hoping for huge appreciation, awards or monetary gain. All of us created history by making it to the Olympics, so, it will be nice if we are remembered for that.
“Even a visit or a text message when I was sick would have lifted my spirit.”
He was, however, appreciative of the National Athletes Welfare Foundation (Yakeb) for their regular visits and warm gestures.
Although wheelchair-bound, the 74-year-old was open to the idea of a reunion with the batch of 1972.
“I’ve not seen many of my teammates for ages, some since 1975,” he said.
“A few visited me when I was sick.
“That was nice as we got to catch up.
“Some have passed on (the recent one being V. Krishanasamy), and some are sick.”
Asked if he was willing to travel if FAM could host a reunion, Namat was quick to answer: “Yes, for sure. It would be great to meet with old friends.”
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