R Arumugam
Encyclopedia
Datuk R. Arumugam was a legendary Malaysian national football player from Selangor
. His exceptionally long arms and brilliant saves have earned him the nickname "Spiderman". He was born on January 31, 1953 in Port Klang
, Selangor
. He started his football career at a very young age. He made his debut for Selangor FA
when he was 18 years old in the Burnley Cup Youth Tournament in 1971. He represented Selangor FA
in the Malaysia Cup
tournament from 1972 to 1988, a period during which Selangor FA
won the Malaysia
Cup eight times.
R. Arumugam earned his first call up to the Malaysia national football team
in 1973 for the World Cup qualifying round matches in Seoul, South Korea. During his time with the national team, he helped Malaysia
win Merdeka Tournament
in 1973, 1974, 1976 and 1979. He also represented Malaysia
in the 1973, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1983 and 1985 Sea Games. His greatest achievement with the national team was the football bronze medal of the 1974 Asian Games
in Tehran. He also helped Malaysia
to qualify for the 1980 Moscow Olympics Games
but Malaysia decided to boycott the Games
. R. Arumugam has earned 196 caps(not all A class international matches) for Malaysia during his time with the national team since 1973 when he retired from international football in 1986. His personal goal was to earn 200 caps.
R.Arumugam did more than play the game. In 1983, he formed his own club, Starbrite SC, as part of his personal contribution to the youngsters in his housing area.
He was killed in a car accident at Federal Highway
near Petaling Jaya
on 18 December 1988. He is survived by wife Maria Selvie, and two daughters,Subha Arumugam and Rubha Arumugam .
In recognition of his services to both state and nation, the Football Association of Selangor and Public Bank
where Arumugam was employed started a trust fund in the name of R. Arumugam on January 5, 1989. He was awarded Panglima Jasa Negara (PJN) which carried title "Datuk" by Yang Dipertuan Agong on 4 June 2011.
Selangor
Selangor also known by its Arabic honorific, Darul Ehsan, or "Abode of Sincerity") is one of the 13 states of Malaysia. It is on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and is bordered by Perak to the north, Pahang to the east, Negeri Sembilan to the south and the Strait of Malacca to the west...
. His exceptionally long arms and brilliant saves have earned him the nickname "Spiderman". He was born on January 31, 1953 in Port Klang
Port Klang
Port Klang is a town and the main gateway by sea into Malaysia. Colonially known as Port Swettenham, it is also the location of the largest and busiest port in the country. As such, its economic progress has been greatly influenced by the port activities in its area...
, Selangor
Selangor
Selangor also known by its Arabic honorific, Darul Ehsan, or "Abode of Sincerity") is one of the 13 states of Malaysia. It is on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and is bordered by Perak to the north, Pahang to the east, Negeri Sembilan to the south and the Strait of Malacca to the west...
. He started his football career at a very young age. He made his debut for Selangor FA
Selangor FA
The Football Association of Selangor , commonly referred to as FAS or simply Selangor, competes in Malaysian football competitions representing the state of Selangor Darul Ehsan. The team is based in Shah Alam city. They are currently playing in Malaysian Super League, the top-flight of Malaysian...
when he was 18 years old in the Burnley Cup Youth Tournament in 1971. He represented Selangor FA
Selangor FA
The Football Association of Selangor , commonly referred to as FAS or simply Selangor, competes in Malaysian football competitions representing the state of Selangor Darul Ehsan. The team is based in Shah Alam city. They are currently playing in Malaysian Super League, the top-flight of Malaysian...
in the Malaysia Cup
Malaysia Cup
The Malaysia Cup is an annual association football tournament in Malaysia. It is currently the longest-running football competition in Asia...
tournament from 1972 to 1988, a period during which Selangor FA
Selangor FA
The Football Association of Selangor , commonly referred to as FAS or simply Selangor, competes in Malaysian football competitions representing the state of Selangor Darul Ehsan. The team is based in Shah Alam city. They are currently playing in Malaysian Super League, the top-flight of Malaysian...
won the Malaysia
Cup eight times.
R. Arumugam earned his first call up to the Malaysia national football team
Malaysia national football team
The Malaysian national football team nicknamed Harimau Malaya, as the Malayan Tiger, is the national team of Malaysia and is controlled by the Football Association of Malaysia...
in 1973 for the World Cup qualifying round matches in Seoul, South Korea. During his time with the national team, he helped Malaysia
Malaysia national football team
The Malaysian national football team nicknamed Harimau Malaya, as the Malayan Tiger, is the national team of Malaysia and is controlled by the Football Association of Malaysia...
win Merdeka Tournament
Merdeka Tournament
Merdeka Tournament or Pestabola Merdeka is a football tournament held in honour of the Malaysian National Day. The competition is named after the Malay word for independence. While the tournament had been held annually from 1957 to 1988, it has been held only 7 times from 1989 to 2007...
in 1973, 1974, 1976 and 1979. He also represented Malaysia
Malaysia national football team
The Malaysian national football team nicknamed Harimau Malaya, as the Malayan Tiger, is the national team of Malaysia and is controlled by the Football Association of Malaysia...
in the 1973, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1983 and 1985 Sea Games. His greatest achievement with the national team was the football bronze medal of the 1974 Asian Games
1974 Asian Games
The 7th Asian Games were held from September 1, 1974 to September 16, 1974 in Tehran, Iran. The Aryamehr sports complex was made for the Games. The Asian Games were hosted in the Middle East for the first time...
in Tehran. He also helped Malaysia
Malaysia national football team
The Malaysian national football team nicknamed Harimau Malaya, as the Malayan Tiger, is the national team of Malaysia and is controlled by the Football Association of Malaysia...
to qualify for the 1980 Moscow Olympics Games
1980 Summer Olympics
The 1980 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event celebrated in Moscow in the Soviet Union. In addition, the yachting events were held in Tallinn, and some of the preliminary matches and the quarter-finals of the football tournament...
but Malaysia decided to boycott the Games
American-led boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics
The 1980 Summer Olympics boycott of the Moscow Olympics was a part of a package of actions initiated by the United States to protest the Soviet war in Afghanistan...
. R. Arumugam has earned 196 caps(not all A class international matches) for Malaysia during his time with the national team since 1973 when he retired from international football in 1986. His personal goal was to earn 200 caps.
R.Arumugam did more than play the game. In 1983, he formed his own club, Starbrite SC, as part of his personal contribution to the youngsters in his housing area.
He was killed in a car accident at Federal Highway
Federal Highway, Malaysia
Federal Highway, or Lebuhraya Persekutuan in Malay is a Malaysian highway connecting the capital city of Kuala Lumpur, and Klang, Selangor. The highway starts from Seputeh in Kuala Lumpur to Klang, Selangor...
near Petaling Jaya
Petaling Jaya
Petaling Jaya is a Malaysian city originally developed as a satellite township for Kuala Lumpur comprising mostly residential and some industrial areas. It is located in the Petaling district of Selangor with an area of approximately 97.2 km². On 20 June 2006, Petaling Jaya was granted a...
on 18 December 1988. He is survived by wife Maria Selvie, and two daughters,Subha Arumugam and Rubha Arumugam .
In recognition of his services to both state and nation, the Football Association of Selangor and Public Bank
Public Bank
Public Bank Berhad is a bank based in Malaysia. Public Bank is currently the biggest domestic bank in Malaysia by shareholders' funds. It focuses on retail customers and small to medium sized enterprises. The bank was founded in 1966 by Teh Hong Piow, the then general manager of Malayan Banking...
where Arumugam was employed started a trust fund in the name of R. Arumugam on January 5, 1989. He was awarded Panglima Jasa Negara (PJN) which carried title "Datuk" by Yang Dipertuan Agong on 4 June 2011.