To the older folks of Bukit Mertajam, Penang, Datuk M. Kuppan was a superstar. The football hero would have scores of fans greeting him every time he returned to Penang or was off to play for Malaysia overseas or even when he was just playing for a local Penang club. Youths were mesmerised by his skills on the field.
Soon after leaving school Kuppan joined Penang Port Commission and played for the Commission team as well as a local outfit called Blue Cross Club. He also turned out for the Penang state team.
In 1958, when he was 22, Kuppan was selected for the national team. Since it was the first time a local lad from Bukit Mertajam was playing for Malaya, a huge crowd of fans turned up at the railway station to see him off to Kuala Lumpur. This included a tea party by former school teachers and classmates. And whenever he was flying out of Penang, fans would gather at the airport to say farewell. Such was the footballing spirit of Malayans in the 1960s.
Under the guidance of then Prime Minister and FAM President Tunku Abdul Rahman, the Malaysian football team shone in Merdeka tournaments and regional championships like the SEAP Games and were bronze medalists in the 1962 Asian Games.
One year, they even played gallantly against Liverpool in a friendly game at Merdeka Stadium.
Even in his 80's, Datuk Kuppan fondly remembered his soccer days, serving the nation and Penang, and the great Malaysian footballers he had the honour of playing with or coaching.
Sadly, Datuk M. Kuppan passed away in December 2021.
