Dalam Kenangan: Dato’ Namat Abdullah
Dato’ Namat Abdullah
30 Mac 1946 – 17 Disember 2020
Pada hari ini, 77 tahun lalu, lahirlah seorang wira negara yang banyak berjasa untuk dunia bola sepak Malaysia, Allahyarham Dato’ Namat Abdullah.
Legenda ini telah terbukti sebagai seorang yang sangat berdisiplin dan berjiwa besar sehingga pernah diangkat sebagai ketua pasukan Harimau Malaya. Beliau seperti ‘abang besar’ kepada para pemain, menjadi tempat mereka mengadu apabila tertekan atau dikasari pihak lawan di dalam padang.
Tidak dapat disangkal pemain yang bermisai tebal ini terkenal dengan permainan yang keras.
“Penang kalau lawan Selangor, Mokhtar Dahari akan telefon nak makan nasi tengah hari. Nak makan ikan terubuk dan sambal belacan. Luar padang kita kawan tapi dalam padang kita lawan,” kata Allahyarham Namat. Ternyata persahabatan antara para pemain memang akrab walaupun daripada pasukan yang berbeza.
Pencapaian tertinggi beliau semestinya apabila dapat bermain di pentas Sukan Olimpik 1972 di Munich.
“Rasa seronok hingga tak tau nak kata apa bila kita pertama kali layak ke Sukan Olimpik. Memang rasa bangga,” beliau bercerita kepada Legasi Lagenda.
Beliau mengenang kembali sewaktu ketibaan pasukan Harimau Malaya disambut oleh sebegitu ramainya peminat di Lapangan Antarabangsa Subang setelah memenangi Kejohanan Pra-Olimpik di Seoul pada tahun 1971.
Banyak kisah telah beliau berkongsi dengan kami. Segala nasihat dan amanah akan kami pegang dan perjuangkan.
Marilah kita sedekahkan Al-fatihah dan doakan agar Allah SWT mencucuri rahmat ke atas roh Allahyarham Dato’ Namat Abdullah.
Semoga segala keringat yang dicurahkan kepada dunia bola sepak senantiasa dikenang dan kejayaan beliau menjadi inspirasi kepada semua untuk mendapat pencapaian yang lebih tinggi.
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Dato’ Namat Abdullah
30 March 1946 – 17 December 2020
On this day in 1946, a national hero was born who left a great contribution on our nation’s football scene, Allahyarham Dato’ Namat Abdullah.
The national legend had proved to be very disciplined and filled with soul, which led him to the success of being the captain of Harimau Malaya. He was like a ‘big brother’ to his fellow players, being the person they went to confide in whenever they were feeling stressed or had been roughed up by an opponent on the field.
There is no denying that the thickly moustached player was known for his tough play.
“If Penang played against Selangor, Mokhtar Dahari would call to have lunch. He always wanted to eat ‘ikan terubuk’ and ‘sambal belacan’. Off the field we were friends, but on the field we were opponents,” Allahyarham Namat said. It was evident back then that players were often friends with one another even when from different teams.
Namat’s greatest achievement must definitely be playing at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games.
“It was such a great time that I did not know what to say when we qualified for the Olympic Games for the first time. It was a feeling of pride,” he told Legasi Lagenda.
He recalled when the Harimau Malaya arrived at Subang International Stadium and were greeted by so many fans after winning the Pre-Olympic Tournament in Seoul in 1971.
Namat shared many stories with us. We will cherish all the advice given and the trust he had in us.
Let us say Al-Fatihah and pray for Allah SWT to shower mercy on the soul of Allahyarham Dato’ Namat Abdullah.
May all the sweat he has poured into the world of football always be remembered and for his successes to be an inspiration for all to aim for greater achievements.
