The Legend

Super Mokh

Almost every one of us has participated in some sporting activity at some point of our lives. For most, sports are just another recreational activity or something we do to stay in shape. However, for some, sports are their lives and they have devoted great amounts of time and effort to excel in their field. Some have done tremendously well that they have become legends, and are fondly remembered and spoken of till today. We take a look at ten of the most remembered legends, both male and female who have taken the country to great sporting heights.

   Popularly known as “Supermokh”, Datuk Mokhtar Dahari was an iconic football hero of the 1970s and one of the nation’s most legendary strikers, playing a key role in steering Selangor to clinch 10 Malaysia Cup titles. He made his first international appearance for Malaysia against Sri Lanka in the 1972 Jakarta Anniversary Tournament and won his 100th cap for the national team when he played against Japan in 1976 in the Merdeka Football Tournament. Overall, in international games, he helped the national football team score a total 125 goals in 167 caps. He was definitely the best striker Malaysia had ever produced, being famous for his speed, accuracy and dribbling. Mokhtar died at the age of 37 from Motor Neurone Disease at the Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC) on 11 July 1991.

   Another national soccer legend who played alongside the late Mokhtar, was Datuk Soh Chin Aun, known as“tauke” or boss to his teammates and fans. Soh was the youngest member of the national team at the age of 21 when they played in the Olympic qualifiers in Seoul, South Korea in 1971. His partnership with his teammate, Santokh Singh was the most solid defense in the much-feared Malaysian team back then. He wasalso known as the God of War, because of his commanding presence in the centre of defense that earnedhim the captain’s armband for the qualifying team for the 1980 Moscow Olympics. Though not recognised internationally, he was claimed to have made 252 international appearances for his country, making him the most capped international player in the world.

Santokh Singh

   Santokh was also part of the legendary soccer team at that time, along with Mokhtar and Soh. Santokh participated in the 1972 Munich Olympics and was also among the qualifying team for the 1980 Moscow Olympics. Together with Soh, the duo formed an impenetrable defensive wall for the fearsome team Malaysia then. Santokh currently lives out a peaceful life and now resides in Setapak. He has appeared for Malaysia in eight qualifiers for various FIFA World Cups.

Soh Chin Aun