20 September 2012 | last updated at 12:32AM
Former footballer down with stroke
By AJITPAL SINGH | [email protected]
IN his glory days, Datuk M. Chandran had made Malaysia proud with his skills and talent in football.
Datuk M. Chandran with his former teammates who visited him at his home on Tuesday.
KUALA LUMPUR: Known as a "no-nonsense defender", Chandran's greatest achievement was captaining the national team at the 1972 Munich Olympics.
But the once active footballer is now fighting a different battle. The 70-year-old had been diagnosed with muscular atrophy in his left leg four years ago and he suffered a minor stroke in July.
Chandran was hospitalised for nearly two months at Kuala Lumpur Hospital but because of his age, it would take time before he could get back on his feet. He is weak and wheelchair bound.
Born in Sungai Siput, Chandran earned 163 caps before retiring in 1974. The National Athletes Welfare Foundation (Yakeb), in realising his plight, is now helping in the payment of his medical bills.
Yakeb representatives, together with former internationals -- Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Minhat, Datuk Khaidir Buyong, Reduan Abdullah, Zulkifli Norbit and Kamarulzaman Yusoff -- visited Chandran at his home in Ampang Jaya on Tuesday.
"I am deeply touched by their presence. "It is an amazing feeling to meet all my friends after a long time. They are concerned about me," said an emotional Chandran yesterday.
"Ghani used to crack jokes in the dressing room and he has not changed. Zulkifli and Khaidir were among my closest teammates."
Khaidir, who regarded Chandran as his teacher, said he was a model footballer and coach. Ghani, on behalf of Yakeb, handed a RM500 donation to Chandran during the visit. The foundation had also promised to pay for his follow-up treatments.
"Yakeb is assisting me and I am grateful to them," said Chandran.
Besides captaining Malaysia at the Olympics, Chandran also played a sterling role in helping Malaysia win a silver medal at the 1971 Sea Games and a bronze at the 1974 Asian Games in Teheran, Iran.
He played for the Asian All Stars in their 6-2 defeat to English club Arsenal in 1968, and also coached the national team in the 1980s.
