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SINGAPORE: Tributes started coming in for the late nationwide crew footballer Chia Boon Leong, an achieved participant of his time and the one Singaporean to play soccer on the Olympics, albeit for China on the 1948 Olympics in London.
As a mark of respect for the previous Lion, a minute’s silence might be noticed earlier than the AFF Mitsubishi Electrical Cup match between Singapore and Myanmar this Saturday on the Jalan Besar Stadium.
“The FAS is deeply saddened to listen to concerning the passing of Chia Boon Leong, the one Singaporean footballer who has performed on the Olympics. Dubbed ‘Twinkletoes’ on account of his deft footwork and ball management, the 97-year-old represented China on the 1948 London Video games in a 4-0 loss to Turkey. He handed away peacefully final evening,” mentioned the Soccer Affiliation of Singapore.
Minister for Tradition, Group, and Youth Edwin Tong had been among the many first to specific his condolences, posting on Fb on Tuesday evening.
“In an age the place footballers are judged by their spotlight reels on YouTube, the slick feints and dazzling dribbles of Chia Boon Leong can solely be left to the creativeness if you weren’t lucky sufficient to have witnessed it. And many people weren’t,” mentioned Minister Tong.
Born in 1925 and nicknamed Twinkletoes for his nifty footwork that left defenders struggling to maintain up with him, Chia received three Malaya Cup in a row from 1950 to 1952, and have become a council member of Soccer Affiliation of Singapore in 1978 after which the crew supervisor of the Singapore nationwide crew.
“Up to now, he’s nonetheless the one Singaporean to signify (for China within the 1948 Olympics in London) and play soccer on the Olympics. And he did so by vastly impressing whereas his crew (Lien Hwa soccer crew of Malaya) toured China. Think about the path of defenders he will need to have agonised to have achieved this feat!” added the previous FAS vice-president.
“It’s maybe becoming, that Boon Leong managed to witness his favorite participant, Lionel Messi, lastly lifting the World Cup earlier than his passing.”
Singapore Nationwide Olympic Council president Tan Chuan-jin recounted his meetup with the 97-year-old earlier this yr throughout Worldwide Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach’s go to to Singapore earlier this yr.
“He remained lively in sports activities and infrequently supported many occasions and events each time attainable. We final noticed him in April this yr when IOC President Bach visited Singapore. I used to be glad to speak with him then. He might be missed by many. Deepest condolences to his household. Relaxation nicely, Twinkletoes,” shared Tan, who can also be the Speaker of Parliament.
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