KUALA LUMPUR – Former Harimau Malaya coach B. Sathianathan died today after almost a year-long battle with cancer.
He was 65.
The news was confirmed by the Football Association of Malaysia’s media, communications, and public relations committee chair, Christopher Raj, who said Sathianathan died at 1.25pm today at University Malaya Medical Centre.
“He was fighting cancer for almost a year and was hospitalised for the past two to three months.
“I will update the funeral details later, as we are at the hospital making the arrangements,” he said when contacted here.
Meanwhile, the FAM conveyed its deepest condolences to his family.
Sathianathan was also president of the Malaysian Football Coaches’ Association.
His greatest achievement was successfully leading the U-23 squad to the 2007 Merdeka tournament title and being appointed the head coach of Harimau Malaya until early 2009.
The former Negri Sembilan player also coached several local teams, including Kelantan, the Armed Forces, Felda United, Selangor, and Sarawak United.
Sathianathan had to take a break from coaching after undergoing cancer treatment last year. – Bernama, July 18, 2023