MOKHTAR DAHARI

 

Allahyarham Dato' Mokhtar Dahari (13 November 1953 – 11 July 1991) was a Malaysian Association football player from Setapak, Selangor (during that time). He was one of the best players in Asia in the 1970s and is known as the best Malaysian footballer during that time, a legend in Malaysian football. During the 1970s, Mokhtar played for Malaysia and Malaysia became a powerful team and defeated Asian giants such as South Korea and Japan.
He was nicknamed SuperMokh  because of his playing skills, his strength and his ability to score many incredible goals throughout his career. One of Mokhtar's famous moment was when Mokhtar shook hands with Diego Maradona before a friendly game with Boca Juniors.
Although not recognised internationally, Mokhtar scored 175 goals for Selangor, 20 goals in 13 appearance for Kwong Yik Bank, and 125 goals for Malaysia, giving a total of 320 goals in his career. Mokhtar is the all time top scorer for both Selangor and Malaysia. Mokhtar is still known as a legend for Selangor and Malaysia.

Early life

  Born in 13 November 1953 at Setapak, Selangor (Now in Kuala Lumpur). Mokhtar was the first born to Aminah Binti Sharikan and Dahari Abeng. Dahari Abeng was a lorry driver and did not earn very much. Mokhtar moved with his family to Kampung Pandan, Setapak at the age of 11. He attended secondary school at Victoria Institution, Kuala Lumpur. Mokhtar showed interest in playing football at an early age. He played for his school and later for his home state, Selangor FA.

 

 Career

Mokhtar first played for Liverpool FC in the Burnley Youth Cup, which they won. He was later asked to play for Selangor FA|Selangor. He became the top scorer in his first season playing for Selangor. He helped Selangor win many tournaments, mainly the Malaysia Cup. Later, he was selected to play for the national team of Malaysia. He was only 19 years-old when he first played for the Malaysia national football team in an international game. Mokhtar helped Selangor FA win the Malaysia Cup 10 times and scored 177 goals altogether. He was the best striker in Malaysia. His first game for Malaysia national football team was against Sri Lanka national football team in 1972.
Mokhtar was famous for his speed. Roars of "Supermokh" from the crowds were common. Many of the younger generation idolised him. Even more tried to imitate his moves on the field. Mokhtar once scored a goal from the half way line through an incredible shot in a 1–1 draw against England B in 1978, dribbling past half of the opposing team coached by Bobby Robson.
Mokhtar Dahari retired in May 1986 after winning the Malaysia Cup for Selangor FA and himself . He then gave his number 10 jersey to the Raja Muda Selangor. He came out of retirement in January 1987 to play one more season for Selangor FA

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Coaching career

 After Mokhtar started getting injury problems, he became a local coach to help the younger generation become better footballers. He also asked his former Selangor partner, Reduan Abdullah to write a book about his life and his career. Mokhtar also coached for Selangor at times. After his retirement, he became a player and mainly a coach for Kwong Yik Bank.

Death

 Mokhtar began having throat problems and went to the hospital to find out what the problem was. Doctors diagnosed him as having Motor Neurone Disease (MND). According to his wife, his condition was told only to Mokhtar and his wife. Mohktar went to London with his wife in an attempt to cure his condition.The press later claimed that Mokhtar was diagnosed with Muscular dystrophy, a rumour that convinced a lot of people.

After 3 years battling the disease, Mokhtar died at Subang Jaya Medical Centre. The press, believing that Mokhtar died of Muscular Dystrophy, reported Mokhtar's suffering from Muscular Dystrophy and his subsequent death. This caused a confusion about how he died.
His story and the cause of his death was later revealed for the first time in a documentary "The Untold Truth About Supermokh," on The National Geographic Channel on August 30, 2010, featuring Mokhtar's friends and family.^[2] It was confirmed that Mokhtar died at the age 37 of Motor neurone disease (Later to be revealed by Mokhtar's wife) at Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC) at 8:25 am on 11 July 1991. His body was laid to rest at Taman Keramat Permai Muslim Cemetery, Bukit Permai.

Personal life

Before becoming a professional footballer, he played other sports such as Badminton, Sepak Takraw and Hockey. Mokhtar worked for PKNS in the afternoons and played football in the evenings. He earned little during his time with PKNS. He later quit PKNS and worked for Kwong Yik Bank in order to gain better prospects for himself and his family.
Mokhtar met Zarina Binti Ibrahim through friends. After knowing her for 10 years, they finally got married. Mokhtar is a father of 3. Nur Azera Mohd Mokhtar is his eldest daughter and Mohd Reza Mohd Mokhtar his eldest son. Nur Arina Mohd Mokhtar is his youngest daughter.