Only Three Chinese Players In The Entire M-League, Where Have They Gone?

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 28 (Bernama) -- The early 1960s and late 1970s was known as Malaysian football's 'Golden Era' with players becoming household names and sending shivers among their opponents in the region, including Japan and South Korea.

That era saw an assortment of players from the multi-racial community, playing a balanced role in hoisting the national flag, not only in football but hockey and athletics, as well.

It was also during these era that the country had numerous Chinese star football players like Chow Chee Keong, Datuk Soh Chin Aun, James Wong, Ong Kim Swee, Lim Chuan Chin, Lim Teong Kim, Wong Hung Nung, Yip Chee Keong, Lim Fung Kee, Wong Kam Fook and the list can go on and on.

But where are the Chinese players now...how many Chinese players are playing in the M-League these days, is anybody's guess.

Those golden days of Malaysian football saw Chin Aun regarded as the 'towkay' for his rock-like defensive qualities, James Wong who was known as King James for his exploits in front of goal and Chee Keong for his reliability in goal.

That combination of players with the likes of the late Datuk R. Arumugam aka the 'Spiderman', Datuk M. Chandran, N. Thanabalan, Datuk Santokh Singh, the late Tan Sri Ghani Minhat or 'Raja Bola', Datuk Mokhtar Dahari, Said Ahmad, brothers Isa and Ali Bakar, Bakri Ibni, helped turn Malaysia into a force to be reckoned with in the Asian region.

Powered by such great players, Malaysia made it to the 1972 Munich Olympics in Germany and the 1980 Moscow Olympics in Russia, a feat unmatched till today, despite the league turning professional since the late 1990s.

However, what is more alarming is the fact that the number of Chinese players in the M-League has dwindled drastically with only three players registered by more than 20 teams playing in the Super League and Premier League competitions.

The only names that emerged from the M-League registrar are Yong Kuong Yong (Perak), See Kok Luen (Johor) and Phoo Kai Lun (Kuala Lumpur).

For National sports critic, Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Khoo Kay Kim, the lack of amateur tournaments in the country could have contributed to a lack of interest among Chinese players who slowly drifted to basketball and table tennis instead of choosing the most popular sport in the world.

"I feel those responsible for the development of football need to organise more semi-pro leagues, just like before, to re-ignite the interest of Chinese youths," he said.

He said the lack of football fields in Chinese schools was another factor that contributed to a lack of interest in football.

"Almost all Chinese schools do not have a proper football field but have basketball courts. This results in more Chinese children taking up basketball," he said.

Khoo's views were echoed by a die-hard football fan who has vast experience in the local football scene.

He urged the Football Association of Malaysia to introduce the semi-pro league to encourage more Chinese players to play the sport since full time commitment by playing professional football and the lack of lucrative salary could have resulted in the Chinese community staying away.

"In the past many Chinese players who are doing their own business or working as professionals, played football on a part-time basis because they were not tied down by contracts. So, in a way when the M-League turned fully professional, participation from the Chinese had dropped drastically," he said.

One fan said, "For the Chinese I believe, a career as a professional footballer is probably seen as an unsecured career where you retire in your 30s and cannot see a bright future and most importantly, no avenue to earn money.

"Most Chinese parents I'm sure, will discourage their children from becoming professional footballers (in Malaysia at least) in favour of more established professions (doctors, engineers, etc.).

"The reason is because these professions are perceived as being more distinguished and are able to provide a better, stable and more secure future," he said.

By Ahmad Muliady Abdul Majid -- BERNAMA