MAJID Bin Ariff
Sports Personalities of Singapore,
Accession Number 003110
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 12
Total Reels
- Mohd Yussoff Ahmad
Interviewer
- 10:59:45
Total Running Time
- Malay
Language
Copyright Notice
All rights to the recordings and transcripts on this website, including the rights to copy, publish, broadcast and perform, are reserved. Written permission is required for any use. If you have any queries, please contact nas@nlb.gov.sg
Reel/Disc 1 of 12
Metadata
- 28 Jan 2009
Recording Date
- 00:55:32
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Majid Bin Ariff born in 1937 at Minto Road opposite Jalan Sultan. Majid's father passed away when Majid was still young and he was raised by his mother. Majid touched on briefly regarding his parents’ background. Majid’s father was from Ambon and mother is a Boyanese. Majid is the only son. Majid was sent to an Arab school when he was about seven years old. He just studied at the Arab school for a year before being transferred to Sekolah Kota Raja. Majid studied at Sekolah Kota Raja until primary six. Majid stopped schooling and started working to help in his family’s financial.
Majid lived at one of the Baweans pondok (hut) at Minto Road. The pondok that Majid lived in is called Sangkapura. Majid related in detail about the pondok and the usual activities that was done and the challenges living in a hut with a lot of families under one roof. Majid started working at the age of 18 years at Royal Engineer Civilian Association (RECA); as an assistant technician, a recommendation from his friend with one condition that he could play for RECA football team. Majid’s interest in football grew when he was a little boy. He was more of a spectator then. What made him really played the game was the opportunity for him to travel with his kampong football team, Suka Ramai to Johor. Majid had to buy boots for him to travel with the team. Majid shared his experience going to Johor.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 12
Metadata
- 28 Jan 2009
Recording Date
- 00:57:48
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Majid elaborated on Singapore's football scene when he was in his teens. Majid related that the football fever had been apparent back then with loads of people filling Jalan Besar Stadium everytime there was a football match. He related that the players were highly skilled and had great individual flair. The great players back then were the likes of Awang Bakar and Rahim Omar to name a few. At times the spectators could get very upset when at times their favourite players were not fielded, maybe because of injury.
Majid continued with his football development when he came back from Johor. Majid's interest in football got deeper and he started to train hard if not with his company Royal Engineer Civilian Association (RECA), he would train by himself. Majid had set an aim to don national team's famous V- neck jersey. Majid related the incident where a Chinese man approached him while he was having training at Farrer Park. Majid was approached to train by none other the famous late Choo Seng Quee. Majid agreed to train with the late Choo under the club Star Soccerite when Choo said Majid could play with the National team within a year.
Majid shared in great detail his experience being trained by the late Choo Seng Quee. Majid went on sharing his first league game with Star Soccerite. Majid related the stadium's atmosphere, the crowd, and what he felt before entering the pitch. It happened to be against his former team RECA. Star Soccerite won 17-0 with Majid scoring the last goal.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 12
Metadata
- 29 Jan 2009
Recording Date
- 00:56:52
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Majid related his family's reactions on his first goal with the team and the coverage he received from the papers. However the late Choo Seng Quee wanted him to be better and was not easily satisfied. Majid shared on his subsequent training after the first match against Royal Engineer Civilian Association (RECA). Majid gained confidence and he religiously trained hard to get on to the National Team. Majid shared on Choo Seng Quee's background as a coach and described his personality. Majid described Choo as a firm man and could be quite hard during training but outside the field, he liked to help people and had a good heart.
Majid related in detail of getting selected to the national team. Twenty-five players were selected to undergo the trial and amongst the 25, only 18 would be selected for the National Team. Majid shared on the selection process and the panel that made the decision. The players that were selected for the national team were due to play for Asian Games in 1958 in Japan. Majid described on the training days that lead up to the departure to Japan. The National Team coach then was John Ten. Some of his team mates from his kampong team, Suka Ramai bid him farewell at Paya Lebar Airport. Majid shared on his stay in Japan for 21 days with the National Team.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 12
Metadata
- 29 Jan 2009
Recording Date
- 00:57:36
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Majid continued sharing his experience while he was at Japan for the Asian games. Majid described the group matches that the team had to compete. First game was against Korea where Singapore lost one goal to nil. Majid cited the cold weather and lack of preparations that caused the defeat. Majid described the atmosphere and the moments throughout the match. Singapore’s next game was against Israel where the team lost again. Majid was not fielded in both games. Majid shared the highs and lows staying in Japan throughout the games. He was disappointed though that he was not fielded and it might give a more impactful experience if he was given the chance to play.
Majid elaborated on life after coming back from the games. Majid continued playing with Star Soccerite under Choo Seng Quee. Majid switched club a year after where he played for Fathul Karib with Rahim Sattar being the coach. Majid was also positioned as striker beside being a midfielder for his new club. Majid shared his experience playing with Fathul Karib and he even fulfilled the club’s mission to win the cup. Majid then changed club again after two or three years, to Darul Alfiah with the intention to help his friend who was the manager of the club. Fathul Karib and Darul Alfiah eventually met in a Knock Out Cup Final where Darul Alfiah walked out as champions. Majid made a switch to another club, this time to an Indian club, IRC after he had helped Darul Alfiah become champions.
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Reel/Disc 5 of 12
Metadata
- 30 Jan 2009
Recording Date
- 00:57:17
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Majid shared more on his involvement with Darul Alfiah which the main intention was to help a friend. As Majid was playing in an amateur league at that time, players were not bounded to one club and were free to play wherever they wanted. Majid shared on players’ training and match allowance during his time. Majid also related the relationship between players and SAFA officials. Majid cited that generally the relationship between the players and officials were not close with the exception of ‘Pop’ Lim Yong Liang who was the Secretary of SAFA at that time.
Majid shared on the offer he received to play for a club in Ipoh called Trotters. He elaborated on how the offer came about and how he came to the decision to accept. Majid also related what made the Malayan players respected figures. He cited that it boiled down to intensive training they received from their national coach at that time, the late Choo Seng Quee. Majid shared in detail his stint with the club. However, Majid not only played for the Trotters at Malaya but also the Malayan National Team. It was a recommendation from Seng Quee to Malayan Premier Tunku Abdul Rahman to get Majid into the National Team. He described how he was roped into the National Team. Majid managed to break through to First Eleven and his first tournament with Malaya was the Merdeka Cup Tournament. Majid shared in details the team’s involvement throughout the tournament. Malaya managed to get into the final but lost 2-1.
Majid related on the dinner that was given to the National Team at Tunku Abdul Rahman’s residence after the final. He also shared Tunku’s personality whom Majid described as an easygoing and flexible person. Majid eventually had to come back to Singapore when his mother did not want to leave Singapore and follow him to Malaya. Majid came back to Singapore between the year 1962 and 1963.
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Reel/Disc 6 of 12
Metadata
- 30 Jan 2009
Recording Date
- 00:56:37
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Majid cited that it had been every Malay players’ priority to play for Singapore Malays team. He cited that the opponents that Singapore Malays were up against were amongst the top teams at that time. Singapore Malays succeeded in bringing back the Sultan Gold Cup though there was no award or gratuity given. To Majid, those who played for Singapore Malays were considered the top of the cream players. Majid shared his opinion as to why the present Singapore Malays were not as strong as before. Majid blamed it on the lack of organization in managing the team. Majid shared on his development and involvement with Singapore football when he came back to Singapore.
Majid got roped into the Singapore National Team and was involved in every competition or invitation matches that were organized with the likes of Interport Cup in Hong Kong and Vietnam’s Independence Day Cup and Thailand’s King Cup to name a few. Majid went on sharing the golden year for Singapore football in 1966 Asian Games where Singapore came fourth. Majid described in detail the match against Japan in the quarter final where Majid’s solitary goal proved to be the winner. Majid was playing in the midfield. Singapore’s camp was over the moon for the win against Japan that made the team advanced to semi-final.
Majid then shared Singapore’s match against Burma in the quarter final where Singapore lost 2-0 after the score was still 0-0 for 84 minutes. It was quite a heart wrenching defeat until the team could not lift themselves for the 3rd and 4th placing. Singapore lost 2-0 against Japan to take up the 4th spot. Majid also shared the personalities and special traits of his team mates in the National Team such as Lee Kok Seng, Quah Kim Swee, Rahim Omar and Wilfred Skinner to name a few. Majid also cited that skills and talent are not enough for a player to be outstanding; one has to train hard with relentless efforts to be tops.
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Reel/Disc 7 of 12
Metadata
- 31 Jan 2009
Recording Date
- 00:55:44
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Majid related on how he and Rahim Omar were selected to be in the All Asian Stars Team. Majid eventually made it to the team. Majid believed he got selected for the team because of his ability and skill on the field. Majid shared in his experience playing with the team that was up against English teams such as Fullham, Sheffield Wednesday and Leicester City. Asian All Stars lost their first game against Fullham that was held in Kuala Lumpur. Majid cited that there were lack of preparations on his team for the competition and there was not much time to train before the team competes. Out of the four games, Asian All Stars managed to win a game. The competition lasted about ten days. After the competition, there was a plan to bring the team to Europe but it did not materialize. Majid made a comparison between the Asian and European players and shared his sweet moments throughout the competition.
Majid shared on the Malaya Cup days when he first competed in the year 1958. He cited there was a kind of adrenalin rush when he put on the national V neck jersey bearing the number eight. Majid felt that he had achieved his dream. Majid considered teams like Selangor, Perak and Penang tough ones for Singapore to beat. Majid shared in detail one of the finals that Singapore was up against Selangor. Selangor was leading 1-0 for more than 80 minutes but at the end Singapore lifted the cup with 3-1 scoreline. Majid cited the Singapore pullout from the Malaya Cup from 1967 to1968 was because of a third party. He revealed what the players did to maintain their fitness and stamina when Singapore did not compete in the Malaya Cup.
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Reel/Disc 8 of 12
Metadata
- 31 Jan 2009
Recording Date
- 00:57:34
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Majid revealed that when Singapore was included back to Malaya Cup, he was not involved with the National Team anymore citing lost of interest and drive and it was not the same as before. Majid cited also that the relationship between the players and officials were not like before and he pointed it out to the lack of organization. Majid however was invited to travel with the National Team to Kelantan playing against the home team. Majid was asked to play at the match which he declined at first. Majid eventually agreed to be fielded after much persuasion by the coach and officials.
Majid also revealed the phone call he received from a bookie at the hotel room which he totally ignored. Majid described the match proceedings. His intention was to score a goal and asked to be replaced after that but it was unfortunate that Majid got a very bad injury during the game until the wound had to be stitched when he was stretched to sideline. Singapore lost the game by eight goals. Majid cited that the Singapore players did not want to play as the Kelantan players went for their legs and not playing the game. Majid was flown back and straight away admitted to Singapore General Hospital (SGH) for a week. Majid could not touch the ball for a month and at the match that he got injured was his last game as a Singapore player.
Majid shared the incidents where some players got injured when they got into contact with him. Majid also shared the food or diet taken by him and his team mates during any tournaments and competitions. Majid related on his practice of biting the field grass while entering the field during a match. He also shared the moments when a player failed to score even though the player was gifted with an open goal opportunity. Majid cited it boiled down to player’s composure and focus.
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Reel/Disc 9 of 12
Metadata
- 3 Feb 2009
Recording Date
- 00:56:33
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Majid shared his role as a captain and what he usually did to motivate his team mates in a particular match. Majid always captained his team in Sultan Gold Cup. Majid shared how he uplifted his team mates’ spirit when they did mistakes and how he identified which players were below par. As a captain, he had to be very patient and had to be careful. Majid always told his players not to argue with the referee and always in control with the situation. Majid related that he never mixed his problems, or if faced with any pressure, with his performance on the field. Majid cited that usually he would assess the opponent in the first 15 minutes of the game and would dictate the game from there.
Majid shared his stint as assistant coach cum trainer for the National Team in 1973 until 1976. The National Team’s coach then was Michael Walker whom Majid regarded had a more aggressive approach to the game when compared to Choo Seng Quee. After which, Majid became a coach to Toa Payoh United from the year 1976 until 1980. From 1980 to 1983, Majid was invited to be the assistant coach for the National Team once again, this time under Choo Seng Quee. Majid was in the squad to get the team prepared for the World Cup and Malaysia Cup. Majid related in detail the Malaysia Cup Final in 1980 where Singapore won 2-1 against Selangor. That was the year also that Majid got to know about Fandi Ahmad and took Fandi under his wings.
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Reel/Disc 10 of 12
Metadata
- 3 Feb 2009
Recording Date
- 00:46:35
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Majid shared Fandi’s strengths and weaknesses and how it took Majid quite some time to be impressed with Fandi’s abilities. Majid also related Fandi’s character and personality. Majid then became the coach for Balestier United from 1984 until 1989 when Thavanesan became the manager. Majid related a friendly match between Balestier and Saudi Arabia National Team in Riyadh. Balestier was just defeated by only a goal in the 85th minute. It was an impressive feat as it was team from club level against Saudi National Team. Majid then went to Kelantan to coach the state team after he received the offer from them.
Majid shared in detail his experience coaching the Kelantan team and getting the team prepared for Malaysia Cup. Majid related Kelantan’s first game against Singapore at National Stadium where a scuffle broke out. Majid left the team soon after and came back to Singapore. He became the coach for about a year and Majid had not been involved in competitive football ever since.
Majid shared his routine as a player and the mental and physical preparations that were before a game. Majid would prepare himself mentally by taking note of opponents’ strength and weakness the night before the game. He related the routine before a match started. Majid also shared the mood in the dressing room during half time with two scenarios, when the team was leading or trailing.
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