Perginya seorang lagenda bolasepak... Al-Fatihah

KUALA LUMPUR, 28 Sept -- Raja bola, Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Minhat meninggal dunia di Institut Jantung Negara (IJN) pada Jumaat akibat komplikasi selepas menjalani pembedahan pintasan jantung di institut itu.

Allahyarham, 77, menjalani pembedahan itu pada Selasa lalu dan menghembuskan nafas terakhir pada 10.34 pagi ini, kata adik iparnya, Datuk Nik Kamaruddin Ismail kepada Bernama, di sini.
Nik Kamaruddin berkata jenazah Allahyarham akan disembahyangkan di masjid Kampung Baru, di sini sebelum dikebumikan selepas solat Jumaat di Tanah Perkuburan Islam USJ 21, Subang Jaya.

Allahyarham Abdul Ghani meninggalkan isteri Puan Sri Tengku Aishah Tengku Ibrahim dan empat anak, dua lelaki dan wanita.

Di zaman kegemilangannya di sekitar tahun 1960-an hingga 1970-an, Allahyarham yang bermain sebagai 'inside forward', merupakan pemain yang licik dan lincah dan sering menggerunkan pihak lawan.


Abd Ghani Minhat (The King of Football)

Born in 1935, Ghani Minhatwas put on the path of professional football by a pair of boots hereceived from Police Officers sometime in 1951. In those days, only professionals wore football bootsand Ghani saw thisas a calling for him to upgrade his skills.

By1952 he had earned a place in thePoliceDepotteam. Thisbecame hisstepping stoneto earning a place on the Selangor squad in theMalaysia (then Malaya)Cup series. The left-winger helped to bring in eight Malaya Cup wins and three Merdeka Football Tournament (“Pestabola Merdeka”) wins. He was also partof thevictorious team in the 1961 SEAP Games (now SEA Games) in Rangoon.

One of the finest forwards ofthe 60s, Ghani’ssuperb skills became evident when he fired a volley from 40 yardsto score a goal against Vietnam atthe inaugural Merdeka Tournament in 1957. Together with fellow team mates Robert Choe and Arthur Koh, hecreated a fearsome attack.

Until today,Ghani cherishes his manyexperiences during hisdaysas Malaysia’s top footballer. One ofhismost invaluable experiences was being sent on attachments to several clubs in England (West Ham United, Arsenal, Spurs) and Germany (Eintracht Frankfurt) in 1962. England’s Cardiff Cityalso offered him a chance to go pro, which he declined, choosing instead to go on a study tour ofEngland and Europe. After hestepped down as a player,the FAM senthim to Japan in 1969,to attend the first FIFA Coaching School for Asian Coaches, earning him hiscoaching license.

In those glory days ofMalaysian football, Ghani Minhat became a household name and displayed a wealth oftalent on the field. But equallyimportant, or perhapsmore so, was hisdetermination,grit and desire to win which really made Dato’ Ghani a shining football star.



ACHIEVEMENTS(HIGHLIGHTS):
As Athlete 1952 -Represented the Police Depot in the Selangor League
1955 -Represented Selangor in the Malaya Cup
1956 -Champions ofMalaya Cup (after 6 year draught)
1957 -Inaugural Merdeka Football Tournament [Champions (scored a goal from 40m)]
1959-60 - Merdeka Football Tournament [Champions]
1960 -Scored 34 goalsin 9 matches(record)
1961 -SEAP Games [Gold medal]
1962 -Attachment with clubsin England and Germany
1968 -Malaysia Cup [Champions]