KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian football fraternity is at a loss for words after the passing of former national coach B. Sathianathan earlier today.
His funeral will be held on Thursday at 11am at Nirvana Memorial Park, Shah Alam.
The wake will be held today and tomorrow at his home in Shah Alam.
Although his death at 65 shocked many in the sports industry, it is understood that Sathia, as he is fondly known, had been battling cancer for almost a year now.
Speaking to The Vibes, KL City head coach Bojan Hodak said that Sathianathan was known among many as one who never gave up without a fight and was always full of life.
The Croatian said he earned the respect of his peers, football officials and also players over the years due to his bold and vocal views about Malaysian football.
“We were good friends off the field and always maintained a healthy competition on the field.
“He did a lot of good things for the sport. He was always known to be a fighter, and even during these difficult times, he was optimistic about making a comeback to coaching.
“We were supposed to catch up, but it was always postponed because he had to go for his treatment.
“Sadly, Sathia is no more, and I send my deepest condolences to his family,” said Bojan.
‘Only person I could discuss football with’
Datuk Ong Kim Swee, meanwhile, said Sathianathan was always concerned about football players’ well-being and coaches’ development.
Kim Swee, who is also Sabah FC head coach, told The Vibes that Sathianathan left a huge impact on him as a friend.
“He was not only a good friend…I have known him since the start of my coaching career, which was about 20 years ago.
“We worked together in FAM when he was the national team coach and I was the national youth team coach.
“He was also the only person I could discuss football with. Even when I was the national coach, he would advise me on how to improve my team’s performance.
“(He was a) genuine person. He was vocal and unafraid to voice his opinion, especially when it came to football coaches’ development.
“His last text in our chat group was that he could not attend our meeting due to his condition,” said Kim Swee.
He added that the Football Coaches Association of Malaysia, where Sathianathan was the president, has vowed to continue his good work in coaching development.
Meanwhile, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) conveyed their condolences to Sathianathan’s family in a Facebook post.
FAM also took the opportunity to recount Sathianathan’s achievements.
“Sathia led the national U23 squad to the 2007 Merdeka Tournament title. Then, he was appointed as the Harimau Malaya head coach until early 2009.
“The former Negri Sembilan player has also coached several local teams including Kelantan, Malaysian Armed Forces, Felda United, Selangor and Sarawak United.” – The Vibes, July 18, 2023
