Arunava about Football A look at football & the world through my eyes!
Related Articles
Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has extended his condolences to the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and the family and friends of former Malaysia international and head coach Datuk Mohamad Bakar who passed away at the age of 75 on Sunday, November 8.
Datuk Bakar began his playing career with Penang FA before featuring prominently for Harimau Malaya and was instrumental in helping them qualify for the 1972 Munich Olympic Games where they defeated the USA 3-0 in what remains as Malaysia’s sole victory at the Olympics.
The AFC President said, “On behalf of the Asian football family, I would like to convey my sincere condolences and sympathies to the family and friends of Datuk Mohamad Bakar.”
“Both as a player and head coach, he made significant contributions to the development of football in Malaysia and was a true icon who served as an inspiration of the game for so many in his country and beyond.”
“The Asian football family joins me in mourning this great loss and we will always cherish his contributions to Malaysian and Asian football.”
After hanging up his boots, Datuk Bakar was part of the coaching set-up that led Harimau Malaya to the Gold medal at the 1979 Southeast Asian Games in Jakarta before orchestrating another successful qualification for the eventually boycotted Moscow Olympic Games in 1980 and took helm as Malaysia’s head coach in 1985.
The thoughts and prayers of the AFC and the rest of the Asian football community are with the family and friends of Datuk Bakar, the FAM and the Malaysia football family during this difficult time.
