KHALID ALWAYS HAD HARIMAU MALAYA'S WELFARE IN HIS HEART - NOORUL

KUALA LUMPUR, May 1 (Bernama) -- The late Khalid Ali, one of the greats of Malaysian football, loved the national team so much that he never stopped talking about the Harimau Malaya, even towards the tail end of his life.

National Athletes Welfare Foundation (Yakeb) chairman Datuk Noorul Ariffin Abdul Majeed said the late Khalid, who starred for the Harimau Malaya back in the 80s, would always share his thoughts and criticisms for the sake of improving the national team's fortunes.

"I remember once when Khalid regained consciousness from a coma, he and I were engaged in a passionate discussion about football. He emphasised the importance for young players to undergo extensive training, advocating specialised programmes spanning five to six years to prepare for the Olympics.

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"If possible, he wished to see football in Malaysia regain its former glory, reminiscent of his era. That was his aspiration," Noorul shared with reporters after presenting death benefit assistance to Khalid's wife at their residence today.

Noorul presented the Special Assistance Scheme from Yakeb to the late Khalid's wife, Siti Norkhanah Mohammed Yatim.

"I'm truly grateful to Yakeb, especially Datuk Noorul, for their continuous support. Their assistance and companionship mean a lot to us. We'll always remember what Yakeb has done," said Siti Norkhanah.

Also present was Khalid's brother, Hanafiah Ali, who was a member of the Harimau Malaya squad that won the bronze medal at the 1974 Asian Games in Tehran, Iran.

On Feb 6, Khalid breathed his last at the age of 66 at the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre, Petaling Jaya, after battling lung cancer for about a year.

Khalid wore the national team jersey from 1977 to 1985, with his greatest achievement being helping the Harimau Malaya squad qualify for the 1980 Olympics in Moscow, Russia.

-- BERNAMA