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New Straits Times
24-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Investing in sports pays unity dividends
In times of division, few forces unite like sport. Malaysia is a case in point. Still healing from the May 13 ethnic riots of 1969, the nation found an unexpected catalyst for reconciliation in the 1975 World Cup Hockey Tournament, held mostly in Kuala Lumpur. The national hockey team's crucial role in 1975 was recently honoured at the 11th edition of Sports Flame, a gathering of Malaysia's sporting greats graced by Sultan of Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah. A special tribute was paid to the hockey players for their gritty performance in the tournament. The years following 1969 were marked by political recalibration and social restructuring. Many felt the nation needed something more visceral — an emotional spark — to rekindle unity. Hosting the hockey World Cup was a statement of Malaysia's growing presence in international hockey and became a national rallying point. The electrified home crowd, a melting pot of Malaysians, buried the horrors of 1969 in a blur of euphoria. It was a sight to behold when many Malaysians hugged one another, most of them strangers. In the quarter-finals at Kilat Club in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's victory over the reigning champions, the Netherlands, ignited national pride. Streets erupted in celebration, and ethnic differences momentarily disappeared in the triumph. After the winning goal was scored, spectators invaded the pitch. Someone even snatched the hockey stick of skipper N. Sri Shanmuganathan, though it was brought back for the game to resume. Even in the semi-finals at Stadium Merdeka, when Malaysia narrowly lost to India — the eventual champions — the passion and unity displayed showed that it was not about medals, but identity and belonging. Sri Shan said: "We played as brothers — Malays, Chinese and Indians — showing what Malaysian unity was in 1975. All we wanted was to bring glory to our beloved country, Malaysia." Forward M. Mahendran remembered how motivational guru Datuk Lawrence Chan instilled nationalistic fervour in the players. "In a darkened room, he called out our names for us to stand up, then lit a candle. Behind the glow stood the Malaysian flag, and the strains of 'Negara Ku' stirred our spirits. That moment remains unforgettable." Goalkeeper Khairuddin Zainal still recalls his post-match tears: "Each time I look at the photo of me crying after our loss, memories flood back. Fifty years on, the weight of our journey, the hopes of a nation, and the agony of coming so close still linger. But we stood among the world's best." Striker Franco D'Cruz emphasised that though Malaysia did not get a podium finish, the 16 players won something greater — "We won the hearts of the nation". Edi Norsam, then a young boy living in a Felda settlement in Sg Koyan, 40km from Raub, said that the hockey "fever" meant that any tree branch with an "L"-shaped outgrowth in the village would be hacked and sandpapered for use as hockey sticks. Meanwhile, RTM sportscaster Rahim Razali captivated many a young boy's imagination with his coverage. Edi added: "The young boys who played with makeshift sticks had new heroes. Thank you, Poon Fook Loke, Sri Shan and Khairuddin Zainal — you are in our hearts. The World Cup in 1975 will always be remembered, along with the rain, mud and waterlogged pitches." Sports have the power to forge unity beyond government offices and policies, and the impact of Malaysia's 1975 campaign extended beyond the final whistle, proving that national pride can transcend divisions. The lessons of 1975 remain relevant: unity is built through shared experiences, and sports provide one of the purest forms to build ethnic cohesion. Investing in national sports does more than just produce athletes — it fosters identity, pride and the realisation that Malaysia is stronger together. The heroes of 1975: N. Sri Shanmuganathan, Khairuddin Zainal, Brian Sta Maria, Wong Choon Hin, K. Balasingam, R. Rama Krishnan, Len Oliveiro, N. Palanisamy, Poon Fook Loke, Franco D'Cruz, R. Pathmarajah, M. Mahendran, Mohd Azraai Zain, A. Francis, Phang Poh Meng, and S. Balasingam. Coaches: Ho Koh Chye, R. Yogeswaran, and Lawrence Van Huizen.
The Star
21-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Reliving memories with Malaysia's 1975 World Cup hockey team
Sultan Abdullah (centre) cutting a cake with Malaysian sports legends at the anniversary celebration. — Courtesy photos SPORTS legends gathered in Kuala Lumpur recently to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the national team's historic performance in the 1975 Hockey World Cup which took place at Merdeka Stadium in Kuala Lumpur. The event was graced by Sultan of Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah. It was organised by Sports Flame and supported by sports public relations agency ShekhinahPR. Sports Flame – founded by sports journalists George Das, the late R. Velu, Datuk Lazarus Rokk and Datuk Fauzi Omar – was established to preserve and celebrate Malaysia's rich sporting heritage, especially from the 1960s to 1980s. In a media statement, ShekhinahPR chief executive officer Christopher Raj said the celebration was a living tribute. 'To witness the camaraderie, memories and mutual respect among these legends is truly humbling. 'It's an honour to help retell their stories and inspire the next generation of athletes,' he said. 456 x 465 | 75.73KB image thumbnail lead image exclude from galleryFor PublishingCaptionAllows the user to edit the image's description. Datuk N. Sri Shanmuganathan said of the team in the 1975 Hockey World Cup: 'We made the most of what we had and played exceptionally well.' Malaysia finished fourth and did not secure a medal in that World Cup. Another legend, Datuk Poon Fook Loke, who is now 74, said he has come to realise after 50 years that winning is not everything. 'An unbreakable bond was forged. Even after five decades, we still stay connected with everyone who was part of that incredible journey. 'It's a legacy no one can ever take away,' he said. The event gathered more than 160 national athletes from various disciplines such as bowling, rugby, badminton, cycling and football. It also honoured Velu, who passed away on Jan 7 this year after a battle with cancer. Besides the men's 1975 hockey team members, members of the 1975 Malaysian women's hockey team such as Elizabeth Gomez and Halimahton Yaacob were also present. Among the other Malaysian sports legends who attended were James Selvaraj, Noraseela Mohd Khalid, Datuk Santokh Singh and Kevin Nunis. Manchester United football legend Ryan Giggs made a surprise appearance at the event. He thanked Sultan Abdullah for Yayasan Al-Sultan Abdullah's involvement in the upcoming Manchester United vs Asean All-Stars match, set to take place on May 28 at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, Selangor.
The Star
19-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Sultan of Pahang leads tribute to former athletes
Sporting greats meet: Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, the Sultan of Pahang, joins the 1975 World Cup hockey squad to cut the cake at the Sports Flame gathering held in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. PETALING JAYA: Glory may fade, but the legacy of greatness lives on. That was the essence of Sports Flame, an annual celebration now in its ninth year, which brought together former national athletes who once flew the Malaysian flag high on the international stage. The heartfelt gathering took place in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
Free Malaysia Today
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Free Malaysia Today
Pahang sultan goes down memory lane with sports greats
The Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah with members of the 1975 World Cup hockey team at the Sports Flame event in Kuala Lumpur today. KUALA LUMPUR : The Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah spent time with 160 former national athletes at a celebration of Malaysia's sporting legacy today. The Pahang sultan moved between tables at the Sports Flame high tea event, speaking with them and posing for photographs with several former national athletes. Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs made a surprise appearance at the event, presenting Al-Sultan Abdullah with a signed club jersey. Al-Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah beams as he is presented with a Manchester United jersey by club legend Ryan Giggs at the Sports Flame event. The event honoured 160 national sporting icons who represented Malaysia from the 1960s to the 1980s. Among those present were Santokh Singh (football), James Selvaraj (badminton), Noraseela Khalid (athletics), and Kevin Nunis (hockey). The 1975 national hockey team received recognition for their historic fourth-place finish at the 1975 World Cup in Kuala Lumpur. Sports Flame, introduced in 2011, is a collaborative initiative by former sports journalists Lazarus Rokk, George Das, Fauzi Omar and the late R Velu.
New Straits Times
18-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Malaysian hockey salutes the team of '75
KUALA LUMPUR: The flames of Malaysia's greatest moment in hockey history half a century ago were rekindled today. The nostalgic embers of that momentous day glowed bright at a commemorative event at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur. That great team that reached the semi-finals of the 1975 World Cup at Merdeka Stadium were fittingly honoured at the Sports Flame event, on the 50th anniversary of their remarkable feat. Sports Flame, founded in 2011, is a collaborative initiative by four former sports journalists — Datuk Lazarus Rokk, George Das, Datuk Fauzi Omar, and the late R. Velu. In 1975, the national team, skippered by Datuk Sri Shanmuganathan, were the underdogs then (Malaysia finished 11th in 1973), but they defied the odds. Till today, the achievement of the 1975 team remains unequalled by any other Malaysian national sides. Shanmuganathan and his men came tantalisingly close to reaching the final after taking a 2-0 lead against India in an epic semi-final showdown. However, mighty India forced extra-time with goals from S.R. Pawar and Aslam Sher Khan, sending the match into extra time. Harcharan Singh saved India an ignominious exit by scoring the winner. Shanmuganathan said the national team's rousing run to the World Cup semi-finals held great significance as it came during a time when the country was still healing from the May 13 tragedy. "Our fourth-place finish came just six years after May 13, and the way the team played — with its multiracial composition — was a powerful symbol of unity for the nation. "We are thankful to Sports Flame for organising this commemoration of our achievement," he said. Datuk R. Yogeswaran, the coach of the national team then, recalled the electrifying atmosphere as about 50,000 screaming fans packed the Merdeka Stadium. "I will never forget the 1975 World Cup. It remains vivid in my mind — how Malaysians from all walks of life came together to fill the stadium," he said. "Never in Malaysian hockey history have we seen 40,000 to 50,000 spectators at our matches. I'm grateful to Sports Flame for celebrating us year after year." The legendary national striker, Datuk Poon Fook Loke, expressed disappointment that Malaysia had yet to equal or surpass the 1975 feat. "I want to thank Sports Flame for reminding the nation of our achievement," he said. "It happened 50 years ago, and I feel sad that we have never come close to replicating it." The event also honoured 160 national sports icons who shone between the 1960s and 1980s. The Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, graced the occasion with his royal presence. Among the former top athletes in attendance were Datuk Santokh Singh (football), Datuk James Selvaraj (badminton), Noraseela Khalid (athletics), and Kevin Nunis (hockey). The event also paid tribute to the late R. Velu, one of Sports Flame's founding members and a beloved figure in Malaysian sports journalism. Al-Sultan Abdullah presented a commemorative plaque to a representative of Velu's family. Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs made a surprise appearance at the Sports Flame event, and presented Al-Sultan Abdullah with a signed Manchester United jersey.
