Hall of Fame

DYMM Sultan Azlan Shah, Sultan of Perak the last torchbearer lighting the couldron at the closing ceremony of the Olympic Torch Relay 2008 at Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC)

Raja Azlan Shah(third from left) with athletes of the Batu Gajah Government English School 1946

DYMM Paduka Seri Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah

Category: Official
Sport: Hockey
Year Inducted: 2007

There has been a long standing relationship between this Royal personality and hockey. This sport had such a profound impact on him that it is translated into shaping his character and discipline, moulding him into leader that he was meant to be. Royal, regal and humble, he goes to show that success knows no social stature or creed, as long as one has the determination to move forward. And move forward he did.

Duli Yang Maha Mulia Sultan Azlan Muhibuddin Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Yusuff Izzuddin Shah Ghafarullahu-Lah was born in 19 April, 1928 in Batu Gajah, Perak Darul Ridzuan. He was brought up outside the plush and posh circle of the Royal Institution by his dear mother, Toh Puan Dewangsa Khadijah binti Ahmad. Maximizing on what was around him; he studied diligently at the Government English School in Batu Gajah (now known as Sultan Yusuff School Batu Gajah) and traditionally attended the esteemed Malay College Kuala Kangsar before reading law at the University of Nottingham.

He was attending to one of his games when he was scouted by Abdul “Skipper” Hamid bin Mohd Aroop (Tan Sri Ahmad Sarji’s father) who captained the Perak State State team for many years. Raja Azlan was destined to don the State colours earlier than others it seems, as his natural prowess and steadfast agility was an incredible asset to his team. Knighted as the striker, he was narrated as fearsome to his opponents and the playmaster of his team, devising strategies comparable to the great Greek war. One of the games highlights were that of him scoring the crucial winning goals against Negeri Sembilan 3-0, catapulting the team to one of its peak of accomplishments.

Shortly after he was inducted into the Perak team, in 1950 he led both the Perak side and the Combined Malayan Malays team simultaneously. One of the most memorable was when he captained his team in a State Trial Game between the colours and the Whites. Raja Azlan led the Whites and on the other side none other than his coach and patron Hamid Aroop captained the Colors. The result was seal shut for outsiders, but these are the conspiracy of silence among sportsmen. Having their own symbols of interactions were the ingredients of the great old days.

All good things must come to an end eventually. Raja Azlan was tailored for the throne, so his Royal Duties must come first above all else, including his beloved hockey sport. As he set to sail, his hockey boots never leave his sight. The study of justice and the imminent Monarchy were dominant in the later chapters of his life. But, the joys of playing hockey under the unforgiving sun with the wind in his every strike keeps him alive whenever he was feeling overwhelmed with his work.

Happily married to DYMM Tuanku Bainun binti Mohd. Ali, the Raja Permaisuri Perak, they are blessed with five children; two princes and three princesses respectively. Sports according to him are not only about the fun and discipline of it, but more in the sense that it helped him acquire the dignity and sense of duty associated with him to this day. Sport, especially then, was character building that teaches him all about fair play. From the Law he got a sense of justice that leads him to be on constant vigilance in governing a country peacefully.

Achievements:
• The President of Malaysian Hockey Federation
• President of the Asian Hockey and Vice-President of FIH (International Hockey Federation).

DYMM Sultan Azlan is currently The Royal Patron of the following student, graduate, professional and charitable clubs and associations namely:
• The Malaysian Law Society in Great Britain and Eire
• The British Graduates Association of Malaysia
• the Academy of Medicine of Malaysia
• The Rotary Clubs
• The Lions Clubs
• The Royal Ipoh Club
• The Royal Perak Golf Club
• The Iskandar Polo Club, Ipoh
• The Kuala Kangsar Golf Club
• The Malaysian Nature Society
• The Perak Veteran Hockey Association.

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