GEORGE TOWN – National football legend Datuk Mohamad Bakar died at Penang Hospital this morning after battling a bone marrow disorder. He was 75.
His death signals the end of a golden decade for Penang footballers, who graced the national scene in the 1970s.
Their biggest achievement was in 1972, when for the first and only time, Malaysia catapulted into the international scene with a representation at the Olympic Games in Munich, Germany.
Midfielder Mohamad starred with other luminaries, such as Datuk Soh Chin Aun, Namat Abdullah, Santokh Singh, fellow Penangite Shukir Salleh, Looi Loon Teik, Datuk Ibrahim Maidin, and the Bakar brothers of Omar, Osman and Ali.
Mohamad started his career as a Penang player in the 1960s. He was a teacher before that.
He represented the Football Association of Penang, and once lined up with the 1972 Munich Olympic squad. He later became the assistant coach for Malaysia’s 1980 Moscow Olympic squad.
Mohamad was appointed head coach of the Malayan Tigers in 1985.
He had been in dire need of a blood transfusion last month.
Former players had organised a special blood donation campaign after he was diagnosed with a condition that saw his bone marrow failing to produce enough healthy blood cells.
Mohamad’s body will be taken home and buried in Teluk Air Tawar, Butterworth. – The Vibes, November 8, 2020
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