KUALA LUMPUR: The passing of the renowned corporate figure Tan Sri Mustapha Kamal Abu Bakar yesterday is also being mourned by the local football fraternity.
The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) in a Facebook message expressed their appreciation to his contributions to the football industry through the appearance of MK Land in the FAM League before successfully breaking into the Premier League scene in the 2004 to 2005 seasons.
The emergence of the club indirectly introduced former Malaysian League sensational import striker Marlon Alex James as well as several local players including Mohd Noor Derus, Abdul Ghani Abdul Rahman, Ooi Hoe Guan and Leong Hong Sen.
“His legacy is the NPNG-Emkay Academy which continues to give space to youth at the grassroots level to be active in football,” said FAM.
Mustapha died of old age at 7.45am at the National Heart Institute here. He was 73.
The property tycoon, who was the founder of the Emkay Group that offers affordable housing, was laid to rest at the Bukit Kiara Muslim cemetery after the zohor (midday) prayers.
Meanwhile, former MK Land coach, Khan Hung Meng, who led the team to become the runners-up in the FAM League in 2003 and ranked third in the Premier League, described the late Mustapha as a true football fan.
“He was very fond of football, always providing the support the team needed. When I was with the team, we did not face any salary problems and everything went smoothly,” said Hung Meng, who was also a former Selangor player in the 80-90s and the national squad. — Bernama
