Brunei football mourns passing of Johari Hj Bungsu

Yee Chun Leong

 BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN JOHARI Hj Bungsu (pic) will always be remembered for more than just his passion and dedication for Brunei football. The former Najip FC coach passed away suddenly after collapsing during a friendly match on Thursday, sending shockwaves throughout the football community in the capital. A reliable football administrator, astute football pundit and staunch grassroots advocate, Johari was the Football Federation of Brunei Darussalam (FFBD) secretariat when Brunei was suspended by FIFA from September 2009 to June 2011. He also guided Najip FC to the FA Cup final in 2014 after defeating Indera SC in the semi-finals. Najip FC’s national forward Azri Zahari is still saddened by the news and said Johari was his major inspiration for becoming a good striker. “I’m shocked and I still can’t believe it,” Azri told The Brunei Times yesterday. “He has always been a happy-go-lucky person and I really enjoyed his trainings. I feel sad with his passing and I pray for peace for him. “There were a lot of good things that he gave to us as a team... He gave me the chance to play as a striker from a defender. “He believed I could play up front and score, and I went on to play up front for the national team as a striker against Cambodia (in a friendly on Nov 3). I really learned a lot from him,” continued Azri. DPMM FC skipper Rosmin Hj Md Kamis will never forget Johari for his honesty as a pundit for state broadcaster Radio Televisyen Brunei (RTB). “I would like to thank him for his dedication, determination and all the hard work for the love of football in the country,” said Rosmin. “He was a good man and honest in his criticism and comments of football matches. “He was a friend I will never forget and we will surely miss a real man like him. Condolences to his family,” he added. Like Rosmin, former national football coach Kwon Oh-son also feels Brunei football has lost a valuable friend. “He was a good friend of ours. The news of his fate at such a young age is a shock to us all,” said Kwon. “He provided good information for football fans and he loved us to learn through football. “He was a great teacher. He was always soft, kind, caring and loving. It is a great sorrow for all his friends. “He gave us a lot of love and good memories and I wish him eternal rest,” added the South Korean. Apart from his work as a pundit, Johari was also active in grassroots football. Johari headed the Brunei Sports School Soccer Academy as the coach and puts plenty of emphasis on grassroots football. He was also responsible for the annual Sports School Football Festival which features footballers under the age of 14. Former National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (NFABD) general secretary Hj Muhd Zamri Dato Paduka Hj Hamdani also paid tribute to the late Johari. “He was a football activist who devoted most of his time to football,” said Hj Muhd Zamri. “With his help, the Sports School successfully organised football festivals annually. “He is a person who liked to update his knowledge by attending various courses organised by NFABD,” concluded the former general secretary. The Brunei Times - See more at:

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