Fraternity remembers ex-Fifa ref Dhillon, 90

Former national football captain Samad Allapitchay is a household name known for leading Singapore to two Malaysia Cup triumphs in 1977 and 1980 and his hard-tackling style as a centre-back. However, his legendary career might never have happened if not for former Fifa referee Harpajan Singh Dhillon, who played a pivotal role in encouraging Samad to pursue football.

- Deepanraj Ganesan

Former national football captain Samad Allapitchay is a household name known for leading Singapore to two Malaysia Cup triumphs in 1977 and 1980 and his hard-tackling style as a centre-back.

However, his legendary career might never have happened if not for former Fifa referee Harpajan Singh Dhillon, who played a pivotal role in encouraging Samad to pursue football.

Samad was among those who paid tribute to the former referee, who died in hospital on Oct 21 at the age of 90.

Dhillon was the teacher in charge of football in the mid-1960s at Serangoon Garden Technical School, where Samad was a student.

Samad, 75, said: "I was good at badminton and hockey too, but Mr Dhillon told me that I will become a very good footballer who will play for the country. If not for him, I would have not put my all into football at that age.