Mokhtar Dahari

Dato' Mokhtar Dahari (13 November 1953 – 11 July 1991) was a Malaysian Association football player from Setapak, Selangor (during that time). He was one of the best players in Asia in the 1970s and is known as the best Malaysian footballer during that time, a legend in Malaysian football. During the 1970s, Mokhtar played for Malaysia and Malaysia became a powerful team and defeated Asian giants such as South Korea and Japan.

He was nicknamed SuperMokh^[1] because of his playing skills, his strength and his ability to score many incredible goals throughout his career. One of Mokhtar's famous moment was when Mokhtar shook hands with Diego Maradona before a friendly game with Selangor FA against Boca Juniors.

Although not recognised internationally, Mokhtar scored 175 goals for Selangor, 20 goals in 13 appearances for Kwong Yik Bank. Research suggests that Mokhtar Dahari scored 5 goals in 20 games for Malaysia.

Early life

Born on 13 November 1953 at Setapak, Selangor (Now in Kuala Lumpur). Mokhtar was the first born to Aminah Binti Sharikan and Dahari Abeng. Dahari Abeng was a lorry driver and did not earn very much. Mokhtar moved with his family to Kampung Pandan, Kuala Lumpur at the age of 11. He attended secondary school at Victoria Institution, Kuala Lumpur. Mokhtar showed interest in playing football at an early age. He played for his school and later for his home state, Selangor FA.

Career

Mokhtar first played for Selangor FA in the Burnley Youth Cup, which they won. He was later asked to play for Selangor FA regularly. He became the top scorer in his first season playing for Selangor. He helped Selangor win many tournaments, mainly the Malaysia Cup. Later, he was selected to play for the national team of Malaysia. He was only 19 years old when he first played for the Malaysia national football team in an international game. Mokhtar helped Selangor FA win the Malaysia Cup 10 times and scored 177 goals altogether. He was the best striker in Malaysia. His first game for Malaysia national football team was against Sri Lanka national football team in 1972. He helped Malaysia win the 1974 Asian Games Bronze medals and successive SEA Games gold medals in 1977 and 1979. He even scored a double winning goals for 2–0 Malaysia League XI against Arsenal FC in a friendly game in 1975 that led to rumours of the English top clubs' interest in him. After the game, he had an offer from European giant, Real Madrid CF but declined to join because his patriotism to Malaysia and Selangor FA.^[2][3] Known for his speed and accuracy, Mokhtar was named the best Asian striker by the World Star Soccer magazine when he was 23 years old.^[4][5]

Mokhtar was famous for his speed. Roars of "Supermokh" from the crowds were common. Many of the younger generation idolised him. Even more tried to imitate his moves on the field. Mokhtar once scored a goal for Malaysia from the half way line beaten Joe Corrigan through an incredible shot in a 1–1 draw against England B in 1978, dribbling past half of the opposing team coached by Bobby Robson.^[6] Even memorable was when Gordon Hill praised Mokhtar as Hero Dahari in Shoot! magazine in his column after the England B tour in 1978.^[7]

Retirement

Mokhtar Dahari retired in May 1986 after winning the Malaysia Cup for Selangor FA. He then gave his number 10 jersey to the Raja Muda Selangor. He came out of retirement in January 1987 to play one more season for Selangor FA.

Coaching career

After Mokhtar started getting injury problems, he became a local coach to help the younger generation become better footballers. He also asked his former Selangor partner, Reduan Abdullah to write a book about his life and his career. Mokhtar also coached for Selangor at times. After his retirement, he became a player and mainly a coach for Kwong Yik Bank after his career.

Personal life

Before becoming a professional footballer, he played other sports such as badminton, sepak takraw and hockey. Mokhtar worked for PKNS in the afternoons and played football in the evenings. He earned little during his time with PKNS. He later quit PKNS and worked for Kwong Yik Bank to gain better prospects for himself and his family.

Mokhtar met Zarina Binti Ibrahim through friends. After knowing her for 10 years, they finally got married. Mokhtar is a father of 3. Nur Azera Mohd Mokhtar is his eldest daughter and Mohd Reza Mohd Mokhtar his eldest son.^[8] Nur Arina Mohd Mokhtar is his youngest daughter.

Death

Mokhtar began having throat problems and went to the hospital to find out what the problem was. Doctors diagnosed him as having motor neurone disease (MND). His condition was told only to Mokhtar and his wife. Mohktar went to London with his wife in an attempt to cure his condition.

After 3 years battling the disease, Mokhtar died at Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC) on 11 July 1991. The press reported Mokhtar's suffering from muscular dystrophy and his subsequent death.

His story and the cause of his death was later revealed for the first time in a documentary The Untold Truth About Supermokh, on The National Geographic Channel on 30 August 2010, featuring Mokhtar's friends and family.^[9] His body was laid to rest at Taman Keramat Permai Muslim Cemetery in Taman Keramat, Ampang, Selangor.

Legacy

Honours

Several places and honours were named after him, including:

• The Mokhtar Dahari Community Square or Dataran Komuniti Mokhtar Dahari, a community hall located at Kampung Pandan, Kuala Lumpur was named after him where Mokhtar used to stay, occasionally playing football there.^[10]
• There is a futsal court, Gelanggang Mokhtar Dahari (Moktar Dahari Futsal Court) located at Putrajaya Futsal Complex in Putrajaya.^[11]
• There is a national football academy was named after him, Akademi Bola Sepak Negara Mokhtar Dahari (Mokhtar Dahari National Football Academy) located at Gambang, Pahang was established on 10 April 2014.^[12]
• The Shah Alam-Batu Arang Highway which connecting Shah Alam and Puncak Alam was renamed Persiaran Mokhtar Dahari in 2014.^[13]
• In 2014, Google celebrates his 61st birthday.^[14]
• There is a theater showcase his legendary football career in Istana Budaya called Super Mokh portrayed by Malaysian actor named Awie.^[15]

Club

Selangor FA

• First Division (1):

Champion: 1984

• Malaysia Cup (10):

Winner: 1972, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1986

• Charity Cup (Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Cup) (3):

Winner: 1984,1985, 1987

International

• Pestabola Merdeka

Winners: 1973, 1974, 1976, 1979

• SEA Games

Winners: 1977, 1979

Runners-up: 1981

• Asian Games

Bronze Medal: 1974

Individual

• National Athlete Award 1976
• AFC Century Club Award^[16]
• World Soccer: The Best Asian Striker 1975 ^[4][5]

Orders

• – Order of the Defender of the Realm
• – Order of the Crown of Pahang – Knight Companion (D.I.M.P.) for Dato' title.
• – Order of Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah of Selangor – Knight Companion (D.S.S.A.) for Dato' title

References

External links

• The Untold Truth About Supermokh on YouTube
• Mokhtar Dahari at National-Football-Teams.com
• Biodata at Selangorfc.com (Malay)
• Biodata at F.A.S Online
• Biodata at Berita Harian(Malay)
• Malaysian football

Malaysia squad – 1976 AFC Asian Cup
GK Arumugam GK Hamid DF Zainuddin DF Abdullah DF Santokh DF Yahya DF Radzi DF Shukor MF Khor MF Dharmalingam MF Vithilinggam FW Umaparam FW Ali FW Isa FW Mohktar FW Irfan Coach: Kuppan