Late Malaysia Cup-winning manager Omar Ibrahim preached ‘discipline, dedication and determination’

SINGAPORE – Strict when it comes to business on the pitch, but friendly in interactions off it, former Singapore national team manager Omar Ibrahim was a popular figure in local football circles.

That was how former Singapore captain Fandi Ahmad described the Lions’ longest-serving manager, who died on Oct 29 at the age of 81 after being diagnosed with fourth-stage pancreatic cancer.

Fandi told The Straits Times that Omar will sorely be missed, adding: “I knew him since I was nine as he was good friends with my father (the late national goalkeeper Ahmad Wartam) while managing the Singapore Malays, and I would go to his house often. He was also the manager when I got called up to the team at 15.

“He was a very disciplined man who was very focused on his job and set a high standard for everyone in the team. While he can be strict when there’s a job to be done, he also likes to joke outside football and we all enjoyed his company.”

Omar leaves behind Hasiah Sarbini, his wife of 57 years, daughters Julianah and Fariha, who is married to former national player Kadir Yahaya, grandson Illiya Izzudin, granddaughter Liyana Izyan and her husband Nur Hadi.

He was also one of the most successful Lions managers across 18 years, as his teams won the Malaysian League and Malaysia Cup double in 1994, as well as the 1998 Asean Football Federation Championship which was Singapore’s first major international title.

“What is needed for success is discipline, dedication and determination from all quarters,” was his mantra.

The affable and jovial man also managed the national team at five SEA Games, as they claimed a silver in 1985 and a bronze in 1993, but finished empty-handed in 1987, 1997 and 1999.

Omar’s involvement in local football started from the 1970s when he was a key official with the Singapore Malays Football Club, then taking part in the Sultan’s Gold Cup organised by their Malaysian counterparts.

He later served under five Football Association of Singapore presidents – Teo Chong Tee, Abbas Abu Amin, Hsu Tse-Kwang, Ibrahim Othman and Mah Bow Tan – in various capacities such as, in his own words, “a liaison officer, tournament committee official, council member and match commissioner”.

His first national team manager stint was in 1983, as he went on to support national coaches such as Hussein Aljunied, Seak Poh Leong, Milous Kvacek, P. N. Sivaji, Ken Worden, Douglas Moore, Barry Whitbread and Vincent Subramaniam up to 2001, when he called it a day.

Omar told The New Paper then: “I never expected any pat on the back for doing this volunteer job, off and on, since 1983. I went in... knowing that it’s going to be a thankless job. There are a lot of wonderful memories, but the time has come when I’m just tired and need a break.”

He was as empathetic, enthusiastic and eloquent as he was encouraging on the touchlines.

Before the 1993 Malaysia Cup semi-final, first leg at the Sarawak State Stadium, he shooed away a man in a crocodile costume and played down the threat of black magic as suspicious items were found in the Lions’ dressing room, en route to the field and on the pitch. These included 16 pieces of 7.6cm-long bamboo sticks arranged in patterns, three incense crystals wrapped in silver foil and two sticks stuck about a metre on either side of the centre flag.

Omar dismissively said: “If their magic was really so powerful, they would have won the Malaysia Cup many years ago.”

Singapore drew 2-2 but won the return leg 2-1 to reach the final, where they lost 2-0 to Kedah.

Besides his services to Singapore football, Omar also had a 37-year career as an Environment Ministry health officer, helping the nation tackle sanitation issues in the 1960s before it transformed into a clean and green city. He was conferred National Day honours in 1994 and retired in 1999.

Off the pitch, his family remembers him as a loving man.

Omar’s grandson Illiya, 27, said: “When I was younger, he would put me to bed and drive me to school or to meet my friends. He also taught me football and silat, and I will miss him dearly.”