PFA trying to find Salahuddin
Penang captain Kamal Khalid is shocked and sad that ex-teammate Salahuddin Che Rose has been sleeping like a vagrant on the streets of Kuala Lumpur.
Kamal told NSTP Sport yesterday that he last met Salahuddin three years ago and the latter told him that he had heart problem and was seeking treatment at the National Heart Institute (IJN) in Kuala Lumpur.
Kamal said Salahuddin did not tell him him that he was in financial trouble but added that the Penang FA and Pahang FA had raised some funds for him before.
“It is very sad to see my former teammate ending up like this. This has also reminded us, former athletes, that we need to plan carefully for our future,” said Kamal.
The jobless Salahuddin had a heart attack in 2009 and has been travelling to Kuala Lumpur from Penang, to and fro, for treatment. For days, he would sleep on fivefoot way of shop houses to save money.
Salahuddin, a former national star in the 1990s, and captain of FAM’s 1992 Barcelona project squad, has not been able to do heavy work due to his heart problem.
When he was young and strong, Salahuddin was a star defender for Penang.
He was later signed by Pahang, where he had two successful seasons, including winning the 1992 Malaysia Cup title.
The Penang FA said yesterday they were unaware that Salahuddin was sleeping on the streets until the media reported the news.
“Salahuddin should contact us and we can work something out,” said Penang FA newly elected president Dr Amar Pritpal Abdullah.
“It’s our obligation to help our former players, what’s more a former national player,” said Dr Amar. “We are still trying to find Salahuddin. I appeal to him to call us and we will surely help him, including financially.”