MEMOIR SEORANG PESARA—-NO. 31……..SUNGAI PETANI IN THE 50’S (PART 2)

MEMOIR SEORANG PESARA—-NO. 31……..SUNGAI PETANI IN THE 50’S (PART 2)

2017/11/06

SUBMITTED BY NGINAPSRENGENGE
The existence of the Gurkha Army camp adjacent to Ibrahim School had many significant to Sungai Petanirians.One of the biggest camp of such in South-East Asia……expatriats of the World War 2.Army discipline is at a closelook to the town people and the schoolboys and girls alike.The good and the bad and whatnots were booked to the minds.Sports activities and army routine physical exercises held daily all-around the outskirts of the town.The people got alert of the importance of discipline and love for good health.
Yearly there was an international football game ( as I noted it ) held between Hongkong Gurkha Camp versus Sungai Petani Gurkha Camp.Spectators flocked as far as from Penang and Kedah hinterlands.Youngsters came in groups cycled to the venue of the match from near and far places.Motor-cycles were scarce those days.The roads were still narrow.As football was popular since then ,so as it is today.They were many talented gurkha players then too.A few of them as I know were booked into Kedah state team ( formerly they were students of Ibrahim School).I forgot the names of themselves….such as Bahadoor……?…..Harilal…….you know better of course.Football mania developed.Many open spaces ,kids in groups had their own games of football ..Even the old tennis balls were made to play with.After that existed many teams around the town.Organisers made history organising knock-outs and league matches.Sungai Petani Chinese Recreation Club had many good players.School teams ( Ibrahim school , St Theresa ) competed in the tournament.