I DON’T fancy football much because I’m more into motorcycling activity. However, reading the profile of the national football player yesterday really draws my interest.
About Baddrol Bakhtiar, Kedah football player. Records show he scored many goals with the national and state teams by winning many trophies to date.
His mother is from Kampung Lanjut Manis, Tanjung Ipoh, Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan while his father is from Kampung Gemetir, Terachi, also in the same district. Baddrol was born in Sarawak as his father, who is also an ATM member, worked there. Baddrol grew up and went to school in Sungai Petani, Kedah, the last state where his father was posted to.
What I want to say is that Baddrol is a very loyal individual. His soul and body remain with Kedah. Throughout his career, he never migrated to other teams even though some of his peers did so with lucrative offers ranging from tens to hundreds thousands of ringgit a month.
Imagine how great his loyalty and sacrifice was. He stays put with one particular team where he went through all the pains and gains. It’s like willing to rise and fall together. This is demonstrated in the song Teman Pengganti sung by Black and Malique.
In this world, it is not easy to find people like this. I read the history. He started representing the Kedah President’s Cup team before being absorbed into the state squad in 2006. He tasted success when his team won the Super League, FA Cup and Malaysia Cup.
A double treble . Six major trophies for two consecutive years. However, in 2012 Kedah fell to the Premier League but Baddrol’s loyalty remained with Kedah.
He never expressed desire to move to another team. And that loyalty endures to this day. When I read his history, I have great respect for Baddrol Bakhtiar.
This is true loyalty. To me, Baddrol Bakhtiar is an excellent grassroots having shown 16 years of loyalty.
DATO ‘SERI DR AHMAD ZAHID HAMIDI
UMNO PRESIDENT
