Malaysian football legend Datuk Santokh Singh is no stranger to the world of Malaysian football; a former defender for the national team. He was a key player for Malaysia, when they qualified for the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games, alongside his defensive partner Datuk Soh Chin Aun. The 62 year-old also played a part in various other achievements and was rewarded the Panglima Mahkota Wilayah(PMW) honour by Yang Dipertuan Agong of Malaysia, with the title Datuk. He was also honoured by the Sultan of Selangor with the Datuk Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah (DSIS) award, likewise carrying the title Datuk. Santokh though, is best known for his time in Selangor FA, where he clinched 9 Malaysia Cups from 1972 to 1985; establishing himself as a fan favourite till today. FourthOfficial.com met him recently, for quick chat on footballing matters.
FO: What inspired you to be a professional footballer and how did it all start?
SS: I was not a professional footballer at that time. I was an amateur footballer from the time I started till I finished. Professionalism only came into the picture recently. I started to play football at the “Padang” in front my house in Hotsprings, and it all started off with me playing for the Kampung football team to the school team, MSSS team, the Malaysia youth and then lastly to the Malaysian national squad. My role model during those days was Franz Anton Beckenbauer who was a German international. I liked his style of playing, and I basically followed his style.
FO: Throughout your football career, what would you regard as the most memorable moment?
SS: I would say two. Firstly, in 1974 when we won the bronze medal for the Asian games. And then of course, when we qualified for the Moscow Olympics in 1980. However, there was a problem because the Malaysian government did not let us go due to the national boycott on Russia. I felt let down because that was the one thing that I looked forward to the most and I did not attend it. But it was a tremendous personal achievement.
FO: Being the captain of Selangor FA in 1984, what was your best experience in leading the team?
SS: The best experience would be when we won the League, the Malaysia Cup and the Charity Shield. It was a treble and that made me proud.
FO: Could you talk us through the development in veteran football and your involvement in the Sultan of Selangor Cup?
SS: I’m not here to improve the level of performances but to share all my knowledge in football and then it’s up to them on how they take it and handle it. But it’s definitely something I enjoy doing these days.
FO: As for you partnership with Soh Chin Aun, did you regard at him as a competitor or an inspiration?
SS: I did not look at him as a competitor or an inspiration but I did look at him as the best defensive partner that I ever had and he was really the best. The chemistry between the two of us took years to be established, but we kept learning and understanding each other and that allowed us to play at our best.
FO: What is your take on the current players, compared to the players back then?
SS: I feel that they are very money-minded and they are not committed towards representing the country and the state. Back then, we did not care about money when it came to football because back then, we used to work while playing football. If you win, you’ll get a little bit of allowances and bonuses that could probably last you for a couple of days which is peanuts to the players nowadays.
FO: Do you think that they players today aren’t as good as the ones that was produced back in the 80s?
SS: I wouldn’t say that they are not as good but the squad is always being changed and they don’t have a system where they can form a team which clicks and is kept together for a couple of years or games. This would make a lot of difference for the team chemistry.
FO: Your thoughts on Safee Sali’s smoking incident?
SS: That issue on Safee Sali should not have happened and I think that the media should not have highlighted his issues, as it is a personal problem and we should not indulge in it. He has his life, we should let him live his life.
FO: In the current Malaysian Squad, which player do you like most?
SS: My honest opinion is that I don’t like any of the players because of the commitment that is absent from them. Not because of money or whatever, that’s their bread and butter but I just feel that they are just not committed to represent Malaysia in greater heights.
FO: Recently, you had a serious health condition, that affected you severely. Based on your experience in coping with it, do you have any specific advice to current footballers
SS: My health issue was very serious because of the lifestyle I used to have and I have now changed my lifestyle to a healthy one. It is like turning into a new leaf or page. I would not want to advice the athletes on this because they have every right to live their life in any way that they want but I think having a balance in their health is absolutely necessary.
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