KUALA LUMPUR – National footballer Luqman Hakim Shamsudin openly admits his longing for his family’s presence this Aidilfitri, marking four consecutive years away from celebrating with them in Kota Bharu, Kelantan.
In the past four years, Luqman’s football career has spanned continents, from signing with KV Kortrijk FC in Belgium to playing on loans with both Njarðvík FC in Iceland and now YSCC Yokohama in Japan.
The 22-year-old striker, who has nine senior team appearances to his name, is in Doha, Qatar, as part of the national under-23 team’s Asian Cup campaign.
The sixth edition of the tournament is scheduled to take place from April 15 to May 3.
Speaking to Scoop from Doha, Luqman lamented his most profound yearning: his mother’s cooking on the auspicious Raya day.
He also emphasised that prioritising bringing glory to the nation over Raya celebrations is a sacrifice he willingly makes for the country.
“Raya has always been something special for me since my childhood, and I definitely miss attending prayers with my family, having all those scrumptious delicacies, and the jokes we used to share from day to night.
“However, this is not something new for me. It’s been exactly four years, including this year, where I haven’t had a chance to spend time with my family. I first experienced this when I signed with KV Kortrijk in 2020, where I started missing my mother’s cooking and the comfort of my family.
“But even though I’m sad, I have not shown it in anything I have done, especially in my football career. I’m more mature now, and I know that this is my job. I always feel proud whenever I wear the national jersey.
“I have never seen Hari Raya as one of my priorities since I started playing abroad. The same applies to the national team; for me, the country has and will always be my priority,” said Luqman when contacted.
At the same time, Luqman also revealed that there were times when he thought of returning to Malaysia to be closer to his parents.
However, Luqman’s parents have always encouraged him to stay put and pursue his life goal of becoming a top player for his country.
“I love my parents so much, there were many moments when I wanted to leave everything behind and live closer to them.
“But my parents always advise me not to give up and not to ruin all the hard work I have put in over the years by being emotional.
“My parents know that it has always been my dream to play for Malaysia, and they always tell me to make use of all the opportunities that are given to me.
“I have always made my parents proud, but for this year’s Raya, I pledge to make them even prouder by doing my best for Harimau Muda in the Asian Cup,” Luqman added.
In Doha, Malaysia will face Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Kuwait in Group D.
The top three teams in Doha will earn automatic Olympic berths, while the fourth-placed team will be involved in the intercontinental play-off.
The last time Malaysia’s national football squad made it to the Olympics was at the 1980 Moscow Games.
However, the country chose to boycott the event after the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan. – April 11, 2024