Legasi Lagenda bersama Robert Choe
Sebulan yang lalu, Legasi Lagenda menziarahi legenda bola sepak pada era 50an dan 60an, Robert Choe, di kediaman beliau di Melaka.
Beliau yang kini berusia 83 tahun terharu dengan kedatangan kami bersama bekas pemain kebangsaan, Wong Kuw Fou, dan sedikit sebanyak kami dapat menceriakan hari beliau.
Robert menceritakan bagaimana beliau bermain bola sepak di kampung dengan anak-anak muda berbilang bangsa, “Saya mula bermain dengan budak-budak kampung. Anak-anak Melayu, India, Serani dan Cina.”
Riuh rendah juga suasana di rumah sang legenda bersama isteri beliau, Alice Choe, yang turut banyak bercerita tentang kisah-kisah Robert. Alice yang gemar menyanyi sempat mengalunkan suara dengan beberapa buah lagu.
Robert masih ingat bermain dengan Abdul Ghani Minhat, yang sama-sama ke Eropah (klik pautan untuk kisah mereka ke Eropah ––> bahagian 1 dan bahagian 2)
Robert juga pernah bermain bersama Wong Kuw Fou yang berumur 18 tahun pada tahun 1969. Mereka masih ingat lagi perlawanan sengit menentang Singapura di Stadium Jalan Besar. “Pada waktu itu, Singapura mempunyai pemain-pemain handal seperti Matthew Chin, adik beradik Quah, Kim Beng, Kim Swee dan Kim Siak,” jelas Kuw Fou.
Robert Choe merupakan penyerang terkenal yang digeruni dengan jaringan gol melalui ‘bicycle kick’ dan tandukan. Beliau salah satu anggota pasukan yang menjuarai Pestabola Merdeka pada tahun 1958, 1959 dan 1960. Beliau juga telah memenangi pingat gangsa di Sukan Asia 1962. Setelah beraksi di edisi 1966, beliau berundur daripada mewakili negara.
Semoga pengorbanan dan kejayaan Robert Choe tetap dikenang dan dijadikan inspirasi generasi muda untuk melonjakkan prestasi mereka.
“Legasi Legenda dikenang, yang kini dijulang”
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A month ago, Legasi Lagenda visited Robert Choe, a football legend of the 50s and 60s, at his Malacca residence.
Now at 83 years old, he was very moved by our visit with former national player, Wong Kuw Fou, and we were glad to be able to brighten his day.
Robert told us about how he used to play football in his village with children of many races, “I started playing with the boys in the village. Malay, Indian, Serani and Chinese kids.”
It was a roaring time with excitement from his wife, Alice Choe, as she also shared stories about Robert. A fan of singing, Alice managed to perform an acapella tune as well.
Robert still remembers playing with fellow football legend, Abdul Ghani Minhat, including the time they both went to Europe. (Click here for our previous posts –> Part 1 and Part 2)
Robert had also played with Wong Kuw Fou, who was only 18 years old in 1969. They still remember the tough match against Singapore at Jalan Besar Stadium. “At the time, Singapore had many formidable players such as Matthew Chin, the Quah brothers, Kim Beng, Kim Swee, and Kim Siak,” Kuw Fou explained.
In his day, Robert was an intimidating striker, famous for scoring goals through bicycle kicks and headers. He was a part of the national team who won the Merdeka Tournament in 1958, 1959 and 1960. He also won a bronze medal at the 1962 Asian Games. After playing at the 1966 edition, he stopped playing for the country.
We hope that Robert Choe’s sacrifices and successes will always be remembered and become an inspiration to the younger generation in boosting their own performance.
