Kebanggaan Seorang Bapa: Robert Choe & Choe Soon Lee
Pada 10 September 1958, Encik Choe Soon Lee, bapa kepada legenda bola sepak negara Robert Choe Kim Chwee, menerima sepucuk surat daripada Tunku Abdul Rahman selepas pasukan negara menjuarai Pestabola Merdeka buat pertama kalinya pada tahun 1958.
Antara intipati surat tersebut, Tunku selaku Perdana Menteri Persekutuan Tanah Melayu dan Presiden Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaya pada ketika itu menyatakan beliau terperanjat apabila mengetahui penyerang muda Robert Choe yang berusia 18 tahun merupakan anak kepada Soon Lee yang bertugas di Pejabat Penerangan. Tunku turut mengiktirafkan Robert meneruskan tradisi keluarga dengan berkhidmat untuk negara seperti bapanya walaupun dalam kapasiti yang berbeza.
Sudah pastinya Encik Choe Soon Lee teruja menerima surat daripada Bapa Kemerdekaan sebagaimana Fahrian Choe Choon Huah dan Timothy Choe Choon Seng, anak-anak Robert, pastinya bangga dengan kejayaan yang telah diraih oleh bapa mereka.
Antara kejayaan Robert termasuk juara bersama skuad negara di kejohanan Pestabola Merdeka tiga tahun berturut-turut dari 1958-60, kemenangan pingat emas Sukan SEAP Rangoon 1961, serta kemenangan pingat gangsa Sukan Asia 1962. Robert juga diberi penghormatan sebagai ketua pasukan di Sukan Asia 1966 sebelum bersara daripada pentas antarabangsa sejurus itu.
Sebagai seorang bapa, sudah tentunya ada perasaan bangga dengan kejayaan anak dan begitulah sebaliknya. Anak-anak juga menghargai pengorbanan seorang bapa dalam mendidik dan mendorong kejayaan yang mereka capai.
Legasi Lagenda mengucapkan selamat menyambut Hari Bapa.
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A FATHER’S PRIDE
ROBERT CHOE & CHOE SOON LEE
On 10 September 1958, Mr Choe Soon Lee, father of national football legend Robert Choe Kim Chwee, received a letter from Tunku Abdul Rahman after the national team won the Merdeka Tournament for the first time in 1958.
Tunku, who was Prime Minister of the Federation of Malaya and President of the Football Association of Malaya at the time, stated that he was surprised to learn that young striker Robert Choe, aged 18, was the son of Soon Lee who worked in the Information Office. Tunku also recognised that Robert was continuing the family tradition by serving the country like his father, albeit in a different capacity.
Of course, Soon Lee was excited to receive a letter from the Father of Independence himself acknowledging the accolades of his son, just as Fahrian Choe Choon Huah and Timothy Choe Choon Seng, Robert’s sons, who must certainly be proud of the success their father had achieved as well.
Among Robert’s successes include champion of the Merdeka Tournament three years in a row from 1958-1960, winning the gold medal at the 1961 SEAP Rangoon Games and bringing home bronze at the 1962 Asian Games. Robert was also honored as team captain at the 1966 Asian Games before retiring from the international stage immediately after.
As a father, there is of course a sense of pride when it comes to the success of our children and vice versa. Children also appreciate the sacrifices a father makes in educating and encouraging the success they achieve.
Legasi Lagenda would like to wish Happy Father’s Day to all fathers.
