Tahukah Anda? Olimpian Othman Abdullah Mahir Olahraga
Allahyarham Othman Abdullah menjadi seorang Olimpian apabila berjaya menembusi skuad utama bola sepak negara untuk beraksi di Sukan Olimpik Munich 1972.
Anak kelahiran Kampung Pasir, Johor Bahru tersebut mula mewakili pasukan Melayu Johor untuk kejohanan Piala Emas Raja-Raja pada tahun 1968. Pada tahun berikutnya, beliau beraksi bersama Johor FA dalam saingan Piala FAM dan Piala Malaysia.
Othman membuat penampilan sulung bersama pasukan negara di Piala Kemerdekaan Vietnam Selatan 1970. Oleh kerana fizikalnya yang tegap dan gaya permainannya yang lasak, posisinya ditukar daripada penyerang kepada pertahanan bek kanan.
Walaupun tidak terpilih untuk bermain pada saingan Kelayakan Olimpik di Seoul pada 1971, aksi cemerlang Othman bersama pasukan Malaysia B di Pestabola Merdeka mengesahkan tempat untuk bersama skuad utama negara ke Jerman Barat bagi sesi latihan dan perlawanan persahabatan. Beliau kemudiannya berjaya mendapat tempat dalam skuad yang beraksi di Sukan Olimpik Munich 1972.
Tapi tahukah anda, Othman juga menguasai bidang olahraga. Beliau mewakili majikannya Jabatan Cetak Kerajaan Negeri Johor bagi kejohanan tempatan. Beliau terlibat dalam beberapa acara termasuk lumba lari jarak jauh, lari berpagar, lompat tinggi dan lompat bergalah.
Itulah dia seorang Olimpian yang berbakat dalam pelbagai bidang sukan.
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Did You Know?
Football Olympian Othman Abdullah’s Hidden Athletic Skills
The late Othman Abdullah became an Olympian when he joined Malaysia’s national football squad to play in the 1972 Munich Olympic Games.
Born in Kampung Pasir, Johor Bahru, Othman began his football career with the Johor Malay team playing at the 1968 Kings’ Gold Cup or better known as “Piala Emas Raja-raja”. The following year, he started representing Johor FA for the FAM Cup and Malaysia Cup.
Othman made his international debut with Harimau Malaya at the 1970 South Vietnam Independence Day tournament. Due to his strong physique and rugged playing style, his position was changed from striker to right-back defender.
Although he was not selected to play at the Olympic Qualifiers in Seoul in 1971, his impressive performance with the Malaysia B team at the Merdeka Tournament earned him a call-up to the main national squad for training sessions and friendly matches held in West Germany. He then managed to secure a coveted spot in the squad to play at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games,
However, did you know that Othman also excelled at athletics? Not only was he playing football, but he also represented his employer, the Johor State Government Printing Department, in local tournaments. The events he participated in include long distance running, hurdles, high jump and pole vault.
That was the true talent of the Olympian, in various fields of sports.
