Football Captain M Chandran Passes Away

Malaysia's football captain M Chandran has died this morning.  Here are some thoughts on the old Captain - written by VM Chandran.

Malaysian football legend - M Chandran's farewell run to eternity - By VM Chandran.

Running away after a week in the National youth football training camp in 1962, seems to have been the catalyst to propel the 18 year old schoolboy to football stardom for 12 years thereafter. 

Despite such a strange start to his national football career, he was gifted not only to don the National colours but also to Captain the National team to the unprecedented performances of :

* Malaysia qualifying for the 1st time to the Olympic Games ie 1972 Munich Games.

* Malaysia playing the opening game of the 1972 Munich Games with host West Germany.

* Malaysia for the 1st time winning the bronze medal at the 1974 Teheran Asian Games.

To top it all, he was the Nation's flag bearer at the 1974 Teheran Asian Games.

Yes!! It is no other than Muthuveeran Chandran, better known as M Chandran. A Railway boy, the only son in a family of 4, he grew up at the Railway quarters in Jalan Travers at the old "marshalling yard", which is where today's Sentral Station is located. 

The main activity for most young kids in this area during his era was to kick around the football in the limited open space at the Yard until they graduated to the field proper. At times they would work their way to another infamous ground called "Chan Ah Tong", an open space at Brickfields next to the then Peking Hotel.

An interesting aspect of such a limited space game was that it taught these budding players the skills to "dribble and defend" with explosive speed  in a quickthinking manner. This is similar to today's futsal. Most were students or those in the early years of working life.

This is probably why the football stars of the 60s, 70s and early 80s were such skillful players. Having to play Club, State or National matches and keeping abreast with training plus schooling or working life, further fortified their mental strengths to face strenuous challenges. Most were able to find the right balance in life.

M Chandran was no exception. What was very interesting,  and he always stood  proud of this,  was that football at that time was such a multiracial game both in Sporting and Administration. Although some Clubs may have been race-based like Selangor UMNO, Selangor Indians Association or Selangor Chinese, yet when it came to the State or National teams the multiracial mix made them feel very Malaysian. 

The understanding between the players and officials was based on mutual respect of their abilities, which moulded them as a team. The issues of race or religion were never in any of the players' minds. They were all "brothers" wanting to perform for each and everyone in the name of the Country.

Till today, when the "old stars" have their gatherings, the rainbow colours of the country's plural society is the hallmark of their get-together. Syabas!!! They are a fine example of sustained relationship of friendship in a racially diverse environment, having its birth in the sports fields. This is something Chandran always spoke about and it has served him well later in life with his family as well.

M Chandran was a gentlemen and was admired both in and out of the field. His decorum was very consistent except on the rare occasions when he was angry. Even then, most times he was always proven right.

He also embodied the principles of integrity, discipline and the right work ethics. Chandran was also "a man of few words and one who minded his own business. He brushes aside any attempt to speak ill of someone". A near perfect gentleman.

These values Chandran lived by. It drew him innumerable friends not only in Malaysia but all over Asia, Oceania and the Middle East. 

One man he pays tribute to is the late Datuk Harun Idris, one time Mentri Besar of Selangor and a key member of the Senior management of Malaysian football when Malaysia was at the pinnacle of Asian football. Chandran never forgot the days when Datuk Harun used to transport him to and from training when he was a young boy. His consistent encouragement plus the trust he had in Chandran to make him Captain of the National team, is something well enshrined in his heart.

So when Datuk Harun Idris was held at a Correctional Facility, Chandran was a regular visitor there. Chandran's attitude was that Datuk Harun was his friend, whether he was "up or down", he would be there for him. This philosophical outlook had guided Chandran's life and is a testament of his nature.

Blessed with 2 boys, who with his wife Latha who always stood by Chandran, moreso over the last 16 years, as they gallantly fought his illness which is medically referred to as "auto immune".  In his case it affected the motor neuron nerves. From the onset they knew that there was no cure. They could only control the speed of it damaging effects. Both husband and wife always put up a brave front to lead a normal life as Chandran always wanted to walk with his head held high. Rarely would he seek assistance. He did not believe in troubling his friends or putting them in an awkward spot. Yet, his relatives and friends have always volunteered to be there for Chandran and Latha as they were there always for them.

As days drew closer with the illness slowly winning the better of him, Chandran confessed he had the best medical care  from General Hospital Kuala Lumpur in particular the Neurology Department. The doctors and nurses there were very helpful during his fortnightly visits for his IVig treatment. He spoke highly of Neurology. The care for him over the years exemplifies dedication, commitment and passion. 

Much of Chandran's inherent qualities of shouldering responsibilities, kindness, care and concern for people were thrust on him with his father's demise. Being the only son he had to care for his sisters and mother. 

If I had to summarise Chandran, I would basically state that he was a man who handled responsibilities to the best of his ability with the intention of doing things the right and proper way embodying love with care, believing that the rest was in the hands of the Divine power. This is the personification of Chandran as a Son, Brother, Footballer, Coach, Friend, Husband, Father, Grandfather and as a Relative.

We shall treasure all these qualities and the moments he had provided as the everlasting memory of M Chandran for his final run, this time to eternity, took place early on Saturday 28th September morning.

Good Bye, my dear friend M Chandran.

V M Chandran.