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Stroke takes the fight out of Othman

By Satiman Jamin

THE continuous roar of the 60,000 crowd at the Ingolstad during the Malaysia-West Germany match did not deter him from giving his best for the country and like the fighter he is on the field, Othman Abdullah's indomitable spirit pulled him out of a massive stroke four years ago.

Right up until today, Othman's eyes would light up whenever he talks about his Olympics experience in the summer of 1972 in Munich, Germany.

"Even though the West German team managed to rout us three goals to nil, it was not due to a lack of fight from us. They were simply the better team, proven by becoming the top team in Group A by winning all their group matches," Othman said with a touch of pride.

Now 64, Othman passionately reminisces about how the Malaysian team had held off waves of West German attacks. "It was David versus Goliath," he said. "Being Europeans, their players were much bigger than us, so we had to make up by moving around as fast as possible," he added, pointing at himself in the Malaysian lineup from an old picture.


Although he was modest about it, Othman and Soh Chin Aun were the defenders who had to meet the West German attacks head on, and hold them off for the full 90 minutes.

"It was the high point of my career as a football player," he said.

The agile steps are no more as the stroke had left him with a pronounced limp.

Tragedy struck again three months ago when his wife of 40 years, Siti Wagiman, 65, passed away due to heart problems and hypertension.

As he spoke about the love and support his wife had given him, he kept stopping to collect himself as he wiped away the tears that had welled up in his eyes.

Now Othman spends his days taking medicine for hypertension and diabetes, sometimes becoming gloomy and sad as his thoughts turn to his departed wife.

His only happiness now is watching his grandchildren play in the local clubs, going to the Seri Gelam field right in the heart of Johor Baru to watch his own flesh and blood play his favourite sport -- football.

The help of fellow Malaysians is much needed to bring the smile back to Othman's life after he so unselfishly gave his all to help Malaysian football gain much respect almost 40 years ago.

Donations should be channeled to Yayasan Kebajikan Atlet Kebangsaan -- Tabung Yakeb, Maybank account no: 564847005696, or SMS YAKEB1 to donate RM1, YAKEB5 for RM5 and YAKEB10 for RM10 and send to 33898. Each SMS costs 50 sen.


For enquiries, contact 03-89964841/4844 or visit www.yakeb.org.my.

l Watch BersamaMu-Wira Sukan, Anda Tetap Di Hati on TV3 at 9.30pm tonight.

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