Posthumous award for Boon Huat

THE late Chua Boon Huat was posthumously awarded the Bintang Cemerlang Melaka (BCM) during the state awards ceremony in conjunction with the 75th birthday of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Malacca Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob.

   The  elder brother of the former national hockey player, Alif Nur Najmi Chua, 42, collected the  award on his late brother's behalf during the third investiture held at Dewan Seri Negeri, Malacca, yesterday.

  Boon Huat, who  was one of Malaysia's  longest serving players, was killed  in a road accident along the Damansara-Puchong highway (LDP), near the Kelana Jaya LRT station on Aug 1.
 Alif expressed gratitude to the state government for recognising his late brother's contribution to hockey even though he was no longer alive.

  "My brother had contributed tremendously to the country in the sports arena and it is hoped that the award could be a motivation for young rising hockey players to emulate his spirit and discipline in training and tournaments," he said.

  Also receiving the similar award was Malacca Berita Harian bureau chief, Amirullah Andi Nur.
  The two were among 487 recipients who were conferred with various awards and titles

Boon Huat dianugerah pingat BCM

MELAKA - Keringat dan bakti yang dicurahkan bekas penyerang skuad hoki kebangsaan, mendiang Chua Boon Huat mendapat pengiktirafan apabila dia dianugerahkan pingat Bintang Cemerlang Melaka (BCM).

Boon Huat adalah antara 432 penerima darjah, tauliah, bintang dan pingat kebesaran sempena majlis penganugerahan Hari Kelahiran Yang Dipertua Negeri, Tun Mohd. Khalil Yaakob Ke-75 sesi ketiga di Seri Negeri, Ayer Keroh di sini, semalam.

Boon Huat, 33, terbunuh dalam nahas jalan raya melibatkan kereta yang dipandunya dengan sebuah lori di Kilometer 10.4, Lebuh Raya Damansara-Puchong, Petaling Jaya pada awal pagi 1 Ogos lalu.
Pada istiadat tersebut, abangnya, Alif Chua Abdullah mewakili mendiang bagi menerima pingat itu daripada Mohd. Khalil.

Yang turut hadir isteri Yang Dipertua Negeri, Toh Puan Zurina Kassim; Ketua Menteri, Datuk Seri Idris Haron dan isteri, Datin Seri Fadilah Abdullah, Exco kerajaan negeri, Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) dan ketua-ketua jabatan.

Alif ketika ditemui berkata, beliau mewakili keluarganya mengucapkan terima kasih atas penganugerahan pingat BCM kepada mendiang adiknya, Boon Huat.

''Bagi pihak mendiang, anugerah yang diberikan amat dihargai kerana kerajaan negeri menghargai jasa dan pengorbanan adik saya ketika menyarung jersi kebangsaan.

''Walaupun dia tidak ada lagi tetapi sekurang-kurangnya pingat pemberian kerajaan negeri menjadi kenangan sampai bila-bila," katanya.

Supermokh The Musical

Venue: Istana Budaya
Date: 6-18 november 2013


He is hailed as one of the iconic footballer’s of the 1970s, and one of Malaysia’s most legendary strikers. He was instrumental in steering Selangor to win the Malaysia Cup 10 times, scoring 177 goals in total. Internationally, he scored 125 goals in 167 appearances for the Malaysian team, including matches in the Asian Games, Pre Olympic Games and Pre World Cup.

Mokhtar Dahari hailed from Setapak, Selangor, and was only 19 years old when he made his first international appearance for Malaysia against Sri Lanka in the 1972 Jakarta Anniversary Tournament. Mokhtar won his 100th cap for the Malaysian national team when he played in a Merdeka Football Tournament match against Japan in 1976.

In 1975, Mokhtar represented the Malaysian national football team against English giants Arsenal F.C. Malaysia won 2-0, with Mokhtar scoring both goals. It was rumoured that he received an offer to play for the Gunners. He also famously scored a goal almost single-handedly, in a 1-1 draw against England’s national team’s B Team in 1978. Mokhtar has also donned the national colours more than 150 times, including the Asian Games, Pre-Olympic Games, Pre-World Cup, and Asian Cup finals among others.

In those years, Malaysian football was at its best and players like Mokhtar made the game an interesting watch. His mobility and speed, flexibility and the ability to unleash sudden powerful shots with both his feet enthralled supporters and fans. Crowds would gather at the Merdeka Stadium to watch this spectacular “Number 10” and it was not uncommon to hear roars of “Super Mokh” rippling through the crowd during a match.

After winning the Malaysia Cup for his home-state Selangor and being crowned the Best Player in the Merdeka Cup of 1986, Mokhtar decided to retire from his illustrious football career. He came out of retirement in January the following year to play one more season for Selangor FC, much to the delight of his fans.

11 July 1991 was a heartbreaking day for Malaysians. Mokhtar Dahari passed away of muscular dystrophy at the age of 37. A legendary footballer during his time, Mokhtar Dahari is a name that will definitely never be forgotten.

ACHIEVEMENTS (HIGHLIGHTS):

As Athlete
1972 - Jakarta Anniversary Tournament [Represented Malaysia for the first time]

1975 - Asian Games in Teheran [Bronze medal]

1975 - Friendly match with Arsenal FC, [Malaysia won 2-0, scored both goals]

1976 - Merdeka Football Tournament [Won 100th cap for Malaysia], Malaysia Cup [Champions]

1977 - Sportsman of the Year award

1979 - SEA Games, Jakarta [Gold medal]

1982 - Led Selangor FA in a friendly against Boca Juniors (captain: Diego Maradona)