Sporting legends return to Stadium Merdeka for walk with Pahang ruler

Organised by ShekhinahPR and Yayasan Al-Sultan Abdullah, “Walk With Al-Sultan Abdullah: The King of Sports” aimed to unite Malaysians in honouring the nation’s sporting heritage.

At around 2.30pm, the stadium began to fill with around 150 participants from across the sporting scene.

Football legends Santokh Singh, Soh Chin Ann and Shukor Salleh, alongside icons like sprinter G Shanti and women’s hockey captain K Maheswari, turned the event into a fun reunion that had everyone reminiscing about the good old days.

Santokh, who has won several medals for the country and was a key part of the 1980 Moscow Olympic qualifying team, was seen chatting away with former national players.

“It’s a fantastic experience to be at the national stadium where independence was declared, and where we played most of our Malaysia Cup games and Merdeka tournaments – and, of course, the Olympic qualifier,” he told FMT Lifestyle.

Olympic medallist Rashid Sidek, who famously coached Lee Chong Wei, shared how nostalgic the event felt to him.

“It’s been 10 or 20 years since I’ve been to this stadium. Now all the old memories are coming back. I used to run here,” he said fondly.

The Pahang ruler, together with Tengku Ampuan Pahang Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, wasted no time getting active. They joined a Zumba session, completed two laps around the stadium, and even kicked a ball around with former footballers.

Al-Sultan Abdullah revealed that the walk was his idea. “I often visit the mosque nearby, Masjid Al-Sultan Abdullah, and I would see the tall building (Merdeka 118) and this iconic stadium, Stadium Merdeka. So that’s when I came up with the idea to walk here.

“But instead of walking alone, I thought why not invite the legends, the former athletes, who still remember the history of Stadium Merdeka, back in the day?”

In his speech, the Sultan recalled many important milestones that took place at the stadium, including when Pahang FA won their first Malaysia Cup in 1983 after defeating Selangor FA.

Truly, from the national football team’s 1980 Olympic qualification to a Muhammad Ali boxing match – and even a Michael Jackson concert – this stadium has seen it all!

“This place absorbed all the human drama that was on display,” former sports writer Lazarus Rokk shared. “It saw the building of dreams, the fulfilling of dreams, dreams being broken and shattered – and we were all a part of it.”

The Pahang ruler also acknowledged the contributions of the retired players at the event, which saw cheques of RM60,000 presented to Yayasan Kebajikan Atlet Kebangsaan from Yayasan Al-Sultan Abdullah, and RM40,000 to Persatuan Bekas Bolasepak Negeri dan Kebangsaan.

“I would like to thank all the sporting legends for their services towards nation building and for making Malaysia proud in those years. I hope the young ones today will emulate your efforts and dedication,” Al-Sultan Abdullah said, adding that he welcomed the idea of turning this into an annual event.

With nostalgia and unity in the air, the day wrapped up. At a stadium rich with history, we walked, laughed, and celebrated, because in the end, sports remind us it’s the spirit that counts.

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