N. THANABALAN realises that he could have ended up being a lorry driver or a factory worker struggling to support his family if not for football.

The 22-year-old’s name is on everyone’s lips thanks to the recent 29th Sea Games hosted by Malaysia.

Thanabalan rose to prominence after scoring the winning goal in the closing stages of the heart-stopping semi-final clash against rivals Indonesia, which ensured Malaysia’s passage to the finals. He had also scored in the group stages, where he netted the winner against neighbours Singapore and then got a brace in the game against Myanmar.

How has he coped with his sudden rise to stardom? 

The humble and soft-spoken striker, who has reported back for duty at Felcra Football Club, spoke to The Malaysian Insight about how tough life had been before the Games.

In 2013, an 18-year-old Thanabalan became the family’s sole breadwinner after his father, Nadarajah, was paralysed from chest down following a road accident while on his way to work. 

Besides his father, Thanabalan also had to support his mother, V. Thirusundari, who is a housewife, and his two siblings, Kheeteeswaran,19 and Keerthikaa, 13 who are still studying.

“Before this, I guess no one would have heard of me but after the Sea Games, everyone would have known about me, my family and our situation. I do come from a simple, poor and struggling family,” said Thanabalan, who signed a professional contract with Negeri Sembilan at18 so that he could bear his father’s medical expenses and support the family.

There is no great story behind his interest for the sport, he said.

Like many boys, he spent his childhood playing football for fun. 

“When I was young, just like all other parents, my parents told me to stop playing football and focus on my studies, but all that changed when I was called up to represent the national under-12 team,” he said.

Thanabalan attended SK Seremban Jaya, before his footballing exploits at a tender age earned him a spot at Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (formerly Bandar Penawar Sports School) in Kota Tinggi, Johor. 

He then joined the Negeri Sembilan state team, and now is on loan to Felcra FC as forward

Thanabalan decided to join Felcra FC to get game time and experience under his belt. It required him to travel to Kuala Lumpur for training and he had to commute back to Seremban often to be with his family.

“I knew that I could not get into the first eleven of the Negeri Sembilan team, and this year was important as we had the Sea Games. 

“I needed to play 90 minutes in every match possible, so that was why I decided to join Felcra FC,” the striker said.

He had been nervous about making the final list of players to represent the national team in the Sea Games as the fight was tough, and was elated after being selected.

After aiming for gold in the Sea Games, Thanabalan said the national team was just unlucky to finish runner-up despite good performances in the group stages and semi-finals.

He said the team hoped to bounce back stronger in upcoming games and tournaments.

“We wanted to win gold at our home but we were just unlucky. We were also slightly heart-broken because the Ultras Malaya weren’t in the stadium. That dampened our spirit as well,” the Sea Games joint-top scorer said.

Thanabalan has since caught the attention of some foreign clubs, especially from Thailand. He refuses to be drawn into the topic of overseas signings, but admits that such offers aren’t easy to come by.

“It’s not easy to get offers and play in such leagues. If there is a good and concrete offer, I may consider it. But as for now, I’m focused on getting my experience here and perhaps in the future I may get to play in the Malaysian Premier League or Super League,” Thanabalan said.

Thanabalan is a local celebrity now. Fans often stop him for a photo whenever he is in public and he finds the experience unusual.

“They’ll politely ask my permission before snapping a photo. Sometimes, I’m even asked to strike a pose while I’m eating. I’m totally fine with it as they are very nice to me.”

For the success and recognition he has achieved, the humble youth puts it down to luck and determination.

His modest wish is just to provide a better life for his family.

“I’m lucky that I played football. I can survive now. Maybe, in the future, once I’m retired, I might consider being a coach or just do my own business,” Thanabalan said. – September 30, 2017.