Superb shot: Faisal Halim scores his team’s first goal during the Asian Cup Group E match against South Korea in January. Below: Faisal prostrating after his feat.— AFP/AP
JUST like his son, national and Selangor footballer Faisal Halim, Abdul Halim Saad (pic) is a pint-sized man. But the moment he steps on the pitch where he runs the Akademi Faisal Halim DNA in Mengkuang Titi, Penang, there is a huge aura that permeates the field.
Halim commands total respect from the kids he’s training as he aims to turn them into future stars of the game – just like his son Faisal, who set up the academy for that purpose.
The elder statesman does not have a professional football background unlike his celebrated son, but he has a simple philosophy and motivational method that is working wonders with the young ones.
‘’I always remind the kids, ‘never forget where you came from and always remember your roots’.
“That’s the same thing I always told my son when he was a kid. It’s a huge motivation for them to work hard and achieve their goals,’’ said Halim.
“A lot of these kids have the potential to be good players and we want to instil the right values and discipline to ensure they move forward not only in the game but in life too.
“Many say they want to be like Faisal, but I always remind them that will require great dedication and effort before they can be good players in their own right.”
Halim also uses the story of how Faisal, fondly nicknamed Mickey, overcame the odds despite his diminutive stature of 1.58m to become a top player.
“Faisal is a small lad but he has more heart than a lot of other players. He always wanted to play football since he was a kid, and always had a ball in his hand. He was brave, and whatever opportunity came his way, he grabbed it without fear.
“He has travelled to other countries for training and has even trained at Manchester United under the ‘Mencari Ramli’ programme by Telekom Malaysia when he was 12.
“People always underestimated him because of his size but he persevered. He was so determined to become an attacking player and we can now see how far he has come.’’
Halim said Faisal’s humility after becoming a top player is another lesson that he often highlights to the kids he’s training at the academy.
“He remains very down to earth, and he is giving a lot back to the community in Mengkuang Titi.
“He always says he can’t forget his ‘kampung’ (village), and that makes me proud. I know I have brought up my son well and now he wants to help his people back here in Penang.”
Halim added that Faisal’s development was aided by a multiracial environment in Mengkuang Titi.
“Faisal was trained by me and then by an Indian coach. He has a lot of friends from all walks of life. He was taught the values of humility and respect from an early age.
“Now, every time before a match, I always tell him to do something different. Do something that will make the nation or his people proud. Football gave you your livelihood, so you need to do it justice.”
So, does Halim consider himself the unsung hero in Faisal’s life?
“Well, I am his father, and I believe I gave him some important life lessons. But the rewards he is reaping now, it is because of him, only him.
“I am proud of him and now he belongs to the Malaysian people.”
