Radhi takes a shot in a new field
Ex-national footballer to contest Pokok Sena
ALOR SETAR: Former Malaysian footballer Muhamad Radhi Mat Din seems entirely at home, huddled on the sidelines of the Stadium Darul Aman field with fellow ex-Kedah footballers before a friendly match.
For the soft-spoken sportsman, this will always be his stomping ground – he made his debut in 1986 and had a stellar career spanning 25 years, from player to captain and coach.
Radhi, 53, had been a key contributor to the Hijau Kuning side’s golden era in the 1980s and 1990s, earning him the nickname “Captain Marvel”.
Back then, he used to be on this field almost every day, but his latest foray into a whole other field means he has little time to spend on his favourite sport.
“You know, this is only the second time I am coming back to this stadium since 2013 when I left the sport for good.
“In fact, when you asked to talk to me here, I felt like a football player again and not an election candidate.
“I miss those times, but God has other plans for me,” he said.
Radhi is contesting the parliamentary seat of Pokok Sena under a PAS ticket.
Ever since he formally joined PAS as a member in 2001, the leaders had wanted to get him to represent the party on a bigger scale as he was already a household name in Kedah.
“They approached me every election to ask me to contest, but I turned it down because I wanted to be with my family.
“Even now, my wife is surprised that I said yes, but my father-in-law understands why the leaders want me as a candidate and gave me his blessings.
“Once the PAS leadership found out I had the blessings, they asked me what else I was waiting for,” he said, his eyes twinkling with delight at the recollection.
Much like his dedication to football, Radhi’s dedication to his family is also beyond question – the father of six proudly declares that he has never missed any important family occasion.
“I have always been a family-oriented person and I am with my kids all the way, which is why it was difficult for me to say yes to a politician’s life.
“My wife said it will mean long hours away from home, but I told her that this is God’s wish,” he said.
A true-blue son of Kedah, Radhi
was born in Pokok Sena and still lives there. He spent a year in Alor Setar to complete his STPM in Kolej Sultan Abdul Hamid.
In the election, he is up against long-term incumbent Datuk Mahfuz Omar, who left PAS to join Parti Amanah Negara, but “Captain Marvel” believes he will emerge victorious.
In fact, Radhi said he personally respected Mahfuz as a PAS ex-leader, but felt he should not have left the party.
“When I was a football team captain, I never left my mates. I dedicated my life to Kedah because I am loyal to the team and the state.
“I may not know politics, but leadership has the same principles no matter which field it is,” he said.
Radhi was with the Kedah FA for his entire football career and was part of the team when Kedah reached the Malaysia Cup finals six times from 1987 to 1993.
He led Kedah to victory in 1990 and 1993 and was even named Best Player of the Year.