The Malaysian Junior World Cup squads, since the inaugural tournament in Paris in 1979, have served as a reservoir for future national players, coaches, managers, administrators, and umpires. However, Perak’s Hj Mohd Sayuti Abd Samat has created a sort of history.
The 65-year-old businessman is the second-term president of Perak Hockey Association (PHA). This is the first time a former national player is leading the PHA in their history.
To top it all off, Sayuti was conferred the Darjah Dato Paduka Mahkota Perak
( DPMP), which carries the title Dato’, this morning (Saturday, November 5th) at Istana Iskandariah, Kuala Kangsar, Perak , by Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Azlan Muhibbnuddin Shah Al-Maghfur Lah, in conjunction with his 67th birthday. It is being awarded to a hockey player after more than 40 years since Datuk R. Yogeswaran and Datuk Poon Fook Loke were the first recipients.
Indeed, a proud day for the ex-Junior World Cup first-choice goalkeeper, where Malaysia finished fourth in Paris. Another Perakian – Ahmad Fadzil – was Sayuti’s deputy in goal.
Sayuti is a clear case of a player who rose through the ranks, and his humility and humbleness are his trademarks.
Many may mistake the PHA president, who is also the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) independent council member and recently appointed MHC coaching committee chairman, as another layman.
He is often seen walking around the Perak Stadium during tournaments, engaging with the fans, and being easily approachable.
This will be evident again at the Sultan Nazrin Shah & Tuanku Zara Cup – Men’s & Women’s international indoor hockey tournament in 2023, starting on Monday.
Sayuti had played in the second Sultan Azlan Shah Trophy tournament in Ipoh in 1985. After his playing career, he became the liaison officer for visiting teams and served two terms as vice-president before becoming president.
He is indeed a grassroot man, having come from the bottom.
“My position as president or being conferred the datukship title, does not mean that I have to change and order people around,” said Sayuti, who is always friendly and down-to-earth.
He does not have any airs about himself and is always on the ground.
“Having come from the bottom, I know what it means to be greeted, helped, and be part of the community at large. Nothing has changed with me. I am still a human being and must treat everyone with respect. Even my title now changed nothing.
“I am very passionate about hockey, which has played a huge part in shaping me and putting me where I am today,” said Sayuti.
“I am just giving back to the game what it has given me,” said the Sungai Korok Parit, born Sayuti.
Sayuti played for the nation from 1977 to 1985.
But it is his stint with the Junior World Cup in 1979 that he recalls fondly.
Zulkifli was over-aged for the tournament in Paris.
“It was a great squad under coach Datuk R. “Yogeswaran and I are sad that the entire team was not promoted to the senior ranks,” said Sayuti, who has also been the president of the Kuala Kangsar District Hockey Association since 2016.
“Although a majority of the squad was promoted to the senior team, I personally felt that we would have done better as a whole team moving together to the senior ranks, as our comradeship and understanding for each other were simply excellent.”
Among the international tournaments Sayuti has played are the 1978 Asian Games in Bangkok, the Essanda World Cup Hockey tournament in Perth in 1979, the Aga Khan Cup in Bangladesh in 1982, and the Intercontinental Cup in Barcelona in 1985.
Among the local tournaments are the National U20 (1977 and 1979), National U23 (1979), Razak Cup (1980 –1985), and Tun Hussein On Cup (1986).
If only we had more ex-sportsmen involved in the management of sports in the country, maybe we could see a vast improvement in the development and management of sports in general.
Congratulations to Sayuti for showing the way and hopefully more ex-sportmen and women emulate him and sports associations give them an opportunity.
In anycase, who understands sports, the management, the developmemt and welfare of athletes, then the established sportsmen and women.
The 1979 Paris Junior World Cup squad
1.Mohd Sayuti
2.Ahmad Fadzil
3.Foo Keat Seong
4.Wallace Tan
5.Stephen Van Huizen
6.Chin Boon Gee
7.Surya Prakash
8.Kevin Nunis
9.Collin Sta Maria
- Updesh Singh
11.Derek Fidelis
12.Razak Leman
- William Lazaroo
14.Ibrahim Salleh
15.Lim Hock Seng
16.Ponudurai