KUALA TERENGGANU: Help is on the way for former national footballer Yahya Jusoh who is facing paralysis of both legs.

Wheelchair bound for the past two weeks, the 57-years-old soccer icon in the 1970s and 1980s, will soon receive treatment for a degenerative bone disease at a specialist hospital in Kuala Lumpur.

National Athlete Welfare Foundation executive chairman Datuk Paduka Dr Mumtaz Begum Abdul Jaafar who visited Yahya at his home in Taman Permint Jaya, Chendering, yesterday, said arrangements had been made to take him to the National Sports Institute for initial prognosis.

“His condition is fast deteriorating as I understand he was still able to walk during the fasting month and less than a month later, he lost the use of his legs and had to rely on a wheelchair to move around.

“Now both of his arms are getting weaker by the day and it is imperative that he gets proper treatment as soon as possible,” said Mumtaz who was accompanied by Yahya’s former national teammate Datuk Soh Chin Aun.

Back in their glory days, the two of them together with other national footballers such as Datuk Santokh Singh and the late Datuk Mokhtar Dahari, brought honours to the country in major tournaments including the Olympic, Asian and Sea games.

Yahya who revealed that the bone mass loss in his neck had created havoc to his nervous system, said he could hardly wait to get a second opinion on his condition.

“I have seen a specialist at the Sultanah Nur Zahirah hospital here and I have been told that I have a 50 per cent chance of recovery should I be willing to undergo surgery.

“Of course, I want a little better odd than that and that is why I am grateful to the foundation for providing me with an opportunity to seek a second opinion and alternative course of action.”

He also said it was kind of the foundation to take care of, not only his medical treatment but also the travel and accommodation arrangements for him and his family.

“I am touched by all the support and attention that I have been getting from relatives, friends and well-wishers and I would like to thank them all for their kind words and generous contributions,” he said.

Also present during the visit were State Youth and Sports Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Rahin Mohd Said and State Sports Council deputy director Ibni Amin Busu.

New Straits Times – Wednesday, October 28, 2009