Former Lions striker Arshad Khamis dies of suspected heart attack
Mr Arshad Khamis celebrated his 68th birthday on Sept 10 with his wife Mrs Mil Khamis.
SINGAPORE — Singapore football icon Arshad Khamis, who played for the Lions in the 1970s, died in Chilliwack, Canada, from a suspected heart attack on Friday morning (Oct 12). He was 68.
Known for his powerful, long-range shots, the prolific striker played alongside national heroes such as Fandi Ahmad, Quah Kim Song, Samad Allapitchay and the late Dollah Kassim.
He also turned out for football clubs such as the Singapore Armed Forces, International Contract Specialists (now known as Geylang International), and Singapore Malays.
After his international retirement, he emigrated to Canada in 1992, where he worked as a technician before retiring last year.
Arshad's wife, Mrs Mil Arshad, told TODAY in a phone interview that he died at home at around 1.45pm on Thursday (Friday morning, Singapore time).
They had returned home from the supermarket and she was preparing lunch while her husband rested on the living room couch.
He was unresponsive when she went to check on him, and she called the paramedics. He could not be resuscitated and was pronounced dead about 30 minutes later.
Besides his wife, Arshad is survived by three children and seven grandchildren.
The couple were planning to travel back to Singapore on Sunday to inform their friends and family of their youngest daughter's wedding in December.
HE WAS A 'GREAT FOOTBALLER'
Local football legends Fandi and Quah were among many in the community who paid tribute to their former teammate on Friday.
Interim national coach Fandi said he last met with Arshad when the latter returned to Singapore a few months ago.
"I was so shocked to hear about it as I just met him a few months ago and he was so healthy…He came to the Geylang field and talked to the coaches and players, and he was telling stories about the past," said Fandi, 56.
Arshad Khamis (second from left) and his friends met with former striker Fandi Ahmad (left) during a trip home a few months ago. Photo: Fandi Ahmad
Both men had played together in the Malaysia Cup and South-east Asian Games in 1979.
"He was a gentleman…he used to be my strike partner and he gave me a lot of advice when I was a young player.
"He was strong, agile, and had a never-say-die attitude. I still remember the shot he took during the SEA Games against Burma (now known as Myanmar). It was off a long-range kick from our goalkeeper, he just took the shot and scored a beautiful goal."
Quah, who lifted the Malaysia Cup in 1977, called Arshad a "great footballer".
"He was a very powerful kicker and had a very powerful shot," said the 66-year-old.
"His screening (shielding) of the ball from the opponent was second to none. Many fans from that generation will remember him…he was one of those players who gave everything he had."
The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) also paid tribute to the former international.
"Mr Arshad represented Singapore in 1970s and 1980s, playing for the late Uncle Choo Seng Quee and Jita Singh," said the FAS in a statement.
"He was a prolific striker in his heyday, playing alongside the late Dollah Kassim and Samad Allapitchay, and inspired generations of footballers.
"Our thoughts are with Mr Arshad's family in this difficult time."
As a mark of respect, a minute's silence — which will be led by his eldest son — will be observed before the international friendly between Singapore and Mongolia at Bishan Stadium on Friday.
