‘A legend has hung up his boots’ — Baihakki Khaizan proclaims retirement

Singapore — In a poignant goodbye at some point after his thirty eighth birthday, footballer Baihakki Khaizan introduced his retirement throughout his Fb, Instagram, and Twitter accounts.

“The day has come for me to formally introduced that I’m retiring from the game. It’s powerful however I’m glad that I’m able to decide a day, placing all of the items collectively and determine to maneuver on to a different chapter of my life,” the athlete wrote.

On Tuesday afternoon (Feb 1), he posted a video aptly titled “A New Starting.”

🇸🇬 Thank You
🇲🇾 Terima Kasih
🇹🇭 ขอบคุณ
🇲🇨 Terima Kasih #Baihakki #retirement #football pic.twitter.com/0WncxHcFbl

— Baihakki Khaizan (@Baihakki06) February 1, 2022

“Each journey has a starting. For me, it started with you. Simply me and also you. Rain or shine, grass or concrete, although occasions of ease and problem. Me and also you,” he says within the video whereas displaying footage of himself kicking a soccer.

By no means in my wildest desires (did) I think about that you’d educate me the best classes of my life, carry me to overseas lands, to thrilling adventures, to heights of success,” the footballer added, as a montage of his profession highlights performed.

“However right this moment we half. Not with unhappiness, however with gratitude and humbleness.”

Baihakki then went on to thank God, his household, and buddies, however added, “No, this isn’t the top. This can be a new starting.”

Within the caption to the video, the athlete wrote that he had been puzzled as to easy methods to announce his retirement and that he “Broke down just a few occasions through the studio shoot simply to say the phrase ‘We Half’”.

He additionally thanked his followers “most significantly” and stated that he hopes “we are going to cross paths once more within the close to future.”

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The athlete has had an extended profession within the sport, having been a part of the pioneer batch of the Nationwide Soccer Academy in 2000 with fellow soccer stars Khairul Amri, Shahril Ishak, and Hassan Sunny.

He turned skilled when he joined Geylang United three years later. Baihakki was awarded Younger Participant of the Yr award in his first S League season.

In 2004, he joined the Younger Lions and have become staff captain.

After his stint in Nationwide Service, Baihakki performed for soccer groups and golf equipment in Indonesia (Persija Jakarta, Persib Bandung, and Medan Chiefs), Malaysia (Johor Darul Takzim and Johor Darul Takzim II F.C.), Thailand (Muangthong United, Udon Thani, Trat, and PT Prachuap F.C.), in addition to for Singapore (Younger Lions, LionsXII, Tampines Rovers.)

The Soccer Affiliation of Singapore (FAS) known as his worldwide profession a “distinguished” one and identified that Mr Baihakki helped “Singapore win the ASEAN Soccer Federation (AFF) Championship 3 times. Who might overlook Baihakki’s objective two minutes into stoppage time in opposition to Thailand within the first leg of the 2012 closing at Jalan Besar, which successfully sealed the Lions’ fourth regional crown? Baihakki would go on to attain twice extra for the nation, taking his worldwide tally to 5, and steps down because the second-most capped participant in Lions historical past – solely two behind Daniel Bennett.”

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Tributes have poured in because the footballer made his announcement.

The AIA Singapore Premier League wrote, “A Singapore legend has hung up his boots – all the very best, Baihakki Khaizan!”

FAS known as him “One among Singapore’s most interesting”.