SERDANG: Kedah deputy chef-de-mission and former Malaysian international Baddrol Bakhtiar (pic) says his role at the Malaysia Games (Sukma) has given him a fresh appreciation for football.
It is a position that allows him to draw on his playing days to motivate the state’s young players as they prepare to face favourites Perak in a quarter-finals at the UITM Stadium in Shah Alam today.
“It’s nice to go to every venue and motivate the players as I was a former professional footballer.
“I can share my words of wisdom,” said Baddrol, who has been the Kedah state assemblyman for Gurun since 2023.
“We are also competing in Selangor, a state known for its strong presence in Sukma. It is a platform where the nation can unearth lots of new talents.’’
Baddrol, who won SEA Games gold in 2009 and 2011 during his playing days, has been a regular presence at football venues this week.
Kedah sneaked into the last eight after finishing second in their group.
“We’ve a young team who are still finding their chemistry. I can’t fault their commitment, but we know more needs to be done if we want to go further in the competition,” he said.
Drawing from personal experience, Baddrol pointed to his own Sukma heartbreak as proof that setbacks are not the final word.
“I played in the 2008 Sukma, where we lost to Terengganu in the final via a penalty shootout.
“It was painful, but football isn’t just about that one game – there are more where you can bounce back.’’
He also spoke of his dual role as both administrator and football man, saying his political position gives him added motivation to nurture Kedah’s next generation.
“Kedah are always developing players, and as a person who is a politician now, I want to help these athletes gain exposure and be assets to the state.’’
