TERENGGANU FOOTBALL LEGEND ZULHARISAM AWANG LAID TO REST

KUALA NERUS, Feb 6 (Bernama) -- The remains of Terengganu football legend Zulharisam Awang were safely laid to rest at the Mok Suri Muslim Cemetery in Pekan Batu Enam at approximately 3:00 pm today.

The funeral was attended by over 300 people, including family members and close acquaintances who gathered to pay their final respects.

The former Terengganu captain breathed his last at the age of 51, at approximately 6:20 pm yesterday at his residence in Kampung Wakaf Baharu due to internal health complications.

Earlier, the funeral prayers were held at the Nur Bakti Mosque in Gong Badak, led by his eldest son, Muhammad Aizat Hairi, 19 who later expressed his gratitude that his father's funeral arrangements proceeded smoothly and thanked the public for their presence and prayers.

Reflecting on his experience leading the funeral prayer, Muhammad Aizat said it was his responsibility as the eldest son and a meaningful final tribute to his father.

The first-year Science student at the Institute of Teacher Education (IPG) Penang Campus shared that before his passing, his father advised him to care for his mother and siblings and to shoulder the responsibility of being the head of the family with maturity.

"My late father often hid his pain from the public because he didn't want others to worry; he only shared his true condition with close family. However, he advised me early on to look after my mother and two siblings if he were to leave us. God willing, I will strive to be the backbone of the family and fulfill my father's trust to the best of my ability," he said.

The late Zulharisam, who served as a General Service Assistant (Operations Assistant) at the Sports and Recreation Centre of Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), leaves behind wife, Nik Noratiza Abd Aziz, 47, and three children: Muhammad Aizat Hairi, Nur Airin Farisha, 17, and Muhammad Aidan Haidi, 12.

As a defender, Zulharisam played a pivotal role in helping Terengganu clinch their first-ever Malaysia Cup title in 2001 after defeating Perak 2-1 in the final at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium.

--BERNAMA