The Malaysian Junior Team, Taking Part In the Ongoing MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup 2025 at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai, Had Some Unexpected Home Support Ahead of Its Pool BOL BOL BOL BOLS POOL BOL BEL BELEAD
K. Balaisingam, A Member of Malaysia’s Golden Hockey Generation, Here in Chennai on the Organiser’s Invite, was casting a keen eye on the performances of the juniors.
The egmore stadium is no Terra Incognita For the septuagenarian, having been a part of the malaysian squad that participated in the rene frank trophy here in 1976.
“I have fond memory of playing here. In that days, there were just zinc sheets and plastic chairs. I also remumeber the small tea shops in front of the egmore railway station.” Balasingam Told Sportstar.
K. Balaasingam (Standing, Fourth from Left) and his brother kt Rajan (Sitting, Third from Right) At the Corporation Stadium in Egmore. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
K. Balaasingam (Standing, Fourth from Left) and his brother kt Rajan (Sitting, Third from Right) At the Corporation Stadium in Egmore. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
“Many actors came to watch us play – Nagesh, SS Rajendran, And Sp Muthuraman.
The Indian Connect
The hockey field is not Balaisingam’s only connection with the Estwhile State of Madras. His Father, who haled from Thanjavur, Travelled Across the Oceans to Penang in Malaysia at the age of 16 to join subhash chandra bose’s Indian National Army (Ina).
“My Father was taken to Burma (Now Myanmar) to build the railway, but many indians died there after contrasting malaria and cholera. Somehow, he managed to survive and smuggle Himself in inese Malaysia, where I was born, “The former player explains.
“Till He Passed Away in 2016, He would stand up and salute every time he heard ‘Ina’.
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With his family starting from scratch in a foreign land, Hockey was not affordable for Balaasingam. Even Hockey Sticks Worth Five Malaysian Ringgits Proved Too Expensive, but support from friends helped bala and his younger brother, kt Rajan, to take up the sport.
Both brothers Eventually became Malaysian Internationals, Spending The Best Part of 10 years 10 years togeether with the National Team.
Crowning Glory
Balaasingam was part of the malaysian team that won third place at the asian games in tehran in 1974. and Thoughts he concedes that Standing atop a podium at a constantal event is a big achevement, he names Finish at the 1975 World Cup at Home His Greatest Moment on the Turf.
“Despite Being Fourth, 1975 was my crowning glor [in the rankings]And we managed to Finish Fourth. That was a big boost, “The former full-back said, pointing at a badge on his yellow t-shirt commemorating the 50th anniversary of the achievement.
“We had all our familys watching it from the stadium.
After Impressive Wins Over Poland and the Netherlands in the Group Stages, Malaysia Succumbed to India in the Semifinal, Losing Out in Extra Time after Leading at One Stage in the game.
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Balaasingam explained the grim nature of the dressing room after the match. His teammates were in tears. They have just let a match slip out of their grassp in the dying minutes. Malaysia would have gone on to beat Pakistan in the final, he says confidently.
The mood at home was slightly different. “We came out of the stadium and headed towards the bus. My Father was waiting at the door.” Naina, Who was you supporting? ‘ I asked. ‘India’, He said. In one way, his sons had lost, but he was happy that his country had won. Loyalty come from the heart, “The former defender said with a smile.
The match continues to be a topic of Banter between Balaisingam and his Indian Contemporarys to Date. Even after hanging up his boots, he continues to be a regular visitor to India, hanging out with his old buddies bp govinda and v. Baskaran on the Golf Courses in the Middle of Busines Visits, Reminks Auto theirs Times.
“For 50 years, everyone has been talking about us.
