PLAY it again, Sam, play it again!
The legendary former Singapore skipper, who is well-known regionally as a stalwart footballer, is back when it matters to be counted, at the upcoming Football Association of Singapore (FAS) elections.
Heâs one of the lead ambassadors in âGame Changersâ after Bill Ng convinced him that he has a national role to play in bringing Singapore football back to its feet. And heâs standing for one of the FAS Council Member positions.
Samad Allapitchay, involved in two Malaysia Cup final wins in 1977 and 1981, has an outstanding playing record, spanning 13 years from 1968-1981, during which he was the Lions skipper from 1977 to 1981. Heâs one of the few elite players in the FIFA Century Club with 105 âAâ international caps. And he was among the pioneers in the FAS Captainsâ Advisory Panel (CAP) in November 2009
At the height of his prime, in the 1970s and early 80s, together with Malaysian contemporaries M. Chandran, Soh Chin Aun, Santokh Singh, Wong Choon Wah and the late Mokhtar Dahari, Samad had a regional reputation a hard-tackling, no-nonsense defender with a penchant for bulldozing his way from defence to attack.
FourFourTwo magazine describes him as âwidely regarded as the finest defender that Singapore ever producedâŚwho took no prisoners and he led by example with his crunching tackles and superb organisationâ.
Perhaps the best praise came when he was dubbed “The Rock of Gilbratar” by English-born national coach Mike Walker.
Much as he is recognised as an iconic FAS role-model, Samad feels enough patronising is enough, and he has to speak up, especially with the fast declining form of the Lions. And he has a moral obligation to offer constructive suggestions, for national interests.
His joining Bill Ngâs âGame Changersâ is viewed as a surprise move but he stands by his decision as he believes itâs high time for a refreshing change in Singapore football.
He says: “Sebenarnya saya tidak tahan lagi melihat sukan ini terus menjunam… kini tiba masanya bagi satu perubahan drastik demi menyelamatkan bola sepak negara. (Actually, I could no longer see the sport continue to decline…now it’s time for a drastic change in order to save the country’s football).
“Jadi, apabila saya dipelawa Bill dan setelah mendengar rancangannya bagi masa depan bola sepak negara, saya tergerak memainkan peranan saya dan memutuskan menyertai pasukannya itu demi membawa perubahan positif dalam sukan (So, when I invited Bill and after hearing his plans for the future of football in the country, I felt the urge to play my role and decided to join forces for the sake of bringing about positive change in this sport).”
Samad, who will contest to be a FAS Council Member, rightly says that âsportsmanship and gamesmanship must win in the FAS electionsâ. He adds: âIâve good friends on either platform of this election. But we must contest, in reaching out to the 44 FAS-affiliated clubs, in a dignified and respectful manner. Whatever the result, Singapore football must be the winner.â
LEADERSHIP ROLE
He also plays a senior leadership role as non-playing skipper in the annual Sultan of Selangorâs Cup playoff, with 2017 marking the 16th edition of the friendly tournament that was introduced to commemorate the old Malaysia Cup rivalry between Singapore and Selangor. Now for the first time in eight years, Selangor will be the visitors at the Sports Hub, which was re-opened three years ago.
He also believes that the former international players, from the 1970s onwards, must be motivated to come forward to play a positive role, either as non-playing ambassadors or as active coaches or educators to spur the younger generation, right down to the HDB heartlands.
âThereâre so many kids keen to have a shot at football, be it at the void decks, neighbourhood parks or even primary schools,â he says. âLetâs give more priority to encourage them so that they can do their best, say 10 or 20 years from now, to help further boost Singapore football.â
A true-blooded Singaporean, Samad always believes in a Singapore-first policy and for nurturing home-grown talent, especially for the role as national coach. He says: âA local coach understands the culture, the players and how to talk to the players’ families. It’s about time we give a local coach a chance. It’s not like there is a shortage of quality. We have many coaches with the Pro Diploma.”
GO FOR BIG CHANGE
And he even practices the family-football bondship at home.
Like father, like son: Samadâs youngest son is Tampines Rovers and Singapore defender Shariff Samat. He made his S-League debut for the now-defunct Sembawang Rangers in 2003 and has played for various clubs like Home United, Hougang United, Tampines Rovers, Woodlands Wellington before joining Geylang International at the start of the 2016 season.
Samad believes that under Bill Ng, thereâs a genuine shot for change as the business-minded Hougang United Chairman is bold for refreshing changes, right from the top to the grassroots.
âListening to Bill talk of a forward-thinking football philosophy inspires me a lot and thatâs one of the reasons Iâm putting my weight behind him in the âGame Changersâ,â says Samad.
âItâs high time for a serious change to try and push football to the best possible level. It will take time and I want every candidate, whichever side youâre on, to play a constructive role towards football development.â
Yes, play it again, Sam, keep playing it again.
- âGame Changersâ is led by popular businessman Bill Ng and the alternative team of 15 football-hearted personalities will be contesting the FAS elections on April 29 at the SportsHub
