LET me say this honestly - I have never been a great fan of Diego Maradona.
No, I'm very impressed with his soccer talent and his great mastery of the ball. But he is such a lousy role model - to those growing up during his time and to the youngsters of today. On that score, Maradona falls flat in my book.
I know I am being unfair for remembering Maradona for all the wrong reasons. But truly, for someone of his iconic status to stay on cocaine for so many of his soccer playing years is something we don't wish our young men or women, sports people or not, to emulate.
Others can jump up and defend him by pointing to George Best or Paul Gaiscogne's love affairs with the bottle. But I'm not for Best or Gazza either. Then again, Maradona is of a different class altogether.
Together with the legendary Pele of Brazil, Maradona was awarded the title of the 'Player of the Century" by FIFA. That was in 2002. Despite receiving that great honour, Maradona did not turn over a new leaf and continue to abuse cocaine...until it nearly killed him.
I recall it wasn't too long ago that thousands of Argentinians held a candle-light vigil outside a Buenos Aires hospital as Maradona was rushed there following a heart attack.
For the largely Catholic Argentinians, they must be happy that God has another purpose for Maradona. As was reported in this 2004 incident, the Lord had risen Maradona from the dead, just as He did Lazarus (from biblical times).
World 'Showbol' tour
So Maradona is coming to Malaysia, eh!
The Star reported last week that the Argentine World Cup hero will be embarking on a World Tour this year and wants to play in Malaysia.
Maradona, 47, is now actively promoting his own brand of football called "showbol," a mix between futsal and soccer, played seven-a-side over two 25-minute periods on a 22m by 42m artificial pitch surrounded by an acrylic wall.
According to the report, his agents from Buenos Aires were in Kuala Lumpur recently to tie up a deal with interested parties, and also brief Argentine Ambassador to Malaysia, Alfredo Morelli.
It quoted Luis Lestani, general manager of Elemco Overseas Corp which promotes the Maradona brand of products, as saying the former soccer great was keen to return to Malaysia, where he had captained his then club Boca Juniors against Selangor in 1982.
"Maradona is now very involved with showbol, which is a really fast-paced game. He has played against South American sides and has been scoring wonder goals like the old days," he said.
Lestani said Maradona had also spoken to him of his interest in establishing a Maradona Football Academy in Malaysia.
Morelli said Maradona remained Argentina's sporting icon, adding that "he has had trouble with drugs but he has fought to overcome them and hopefully, he will be able to come and put on a great show in Malaysia."
A Maradona Football Academy in Malaysia is a good idea. Perhaps, the soccer star could also use his influence to help the thousands of drug addicts in this country kick the habit and encourage others to stay away from drugs.
I have an idea for Maradona and his people - let his slogan for the proposed academy in Malaysia be "With Showbol, You Don't Need Drugs".
Working with Pemadam?
In time to come, perhaps Maradona can contribute some of his millions to help Malaysia fight the dadah war which had not made much progress all these years. Pemadam could be the right organisation to sound out this idea to the soccer maestro and the Argentinian envoy in Malaysia.
I suppose it's not too late for Maradona to use his iconic status and return to the role model he once was before his introduction to cocaine.
Yes, I would love to remember Maradona for the day he proudly lifted the World Cup as the captain of Argentina in 1986 in Mexico
I would love to remember Maradona, that shortie with powerful legs and strong physique, who picked up the ball in his own half, swiveled around and ran more than half the length of the field, dribbling past five English players to score the 'Goal of the Century' in a 1986 World Cup match against England.
For that astonishing display, I am willing to forget that he cheated (as he had admitted) with his 'Hand of God' goal but claimed his goal was nothing more than 'an instinctive reaction'. The incident occurred in the same game against England. ( photo right )
So dear Diego Armando Maradona, these were the moments which we should all remember you by. Not those years when you had to check in and out of rehabilitation centres and banned from playing professional soccer because of your abuse with drugs.
We do not wish to cry for you any more, certainly not like the 2004 incident when we all thought that you were a goner.
You have been blessed with such great gifts and now, with a second life. Make good use of it.
And yes, welcome to Malaysia. Just in case, the penalty for drug trafficking here is death!
FRANCIS PAUL just cannot tolerate substance abuse and support Malaysia's capital punishment for drug trafficking. He can be reached at [email protected]