KUALA LUMPUR – Former Harimau Malaya head coach Datuk K. Rajagopal has finally published his long-anticipated autobiography ‘Inilah Saya’, almost ten years in the making.
Centred on his life journey from childhood through the highs and lows of a footballing career, Rajagopal said he hopes the book will serve as a source of inspiration to many.
“There were many who encouraged me to write this book. At first, I thought never mind, but at one point I realised I had to give back to the people, to share everything we’ve been through, not just as a coach but as an ordinary human being, an ordinary Malaysian child,” he said, according to Bernama.
Rajagopal, who famously led the Malaysian national team to gold at the 2009 SEA Games in Laos and the 2010 AFF Championship title, revealed that the idea for the book initially came from his eldest child, along with encouragement from others who wanted him to share his life story.
He explained that the project took nearly a decade to complete due to his coaching commitments with Sarawak and PKNS FC between 2015 and 2019.
The former national coach was speaking at the official launch of ‘Inilah Saya’ held yesterday at the World Trade Centre (WTC) Kuala Lumpur, in conjunction with the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair.
Among those present to show their support were several former national players, including Datuk Zainal Abidin Hassan, Reduan Abdullah, and Khairul Fahmi Che Mat — one of the stars of Rajagopal’s successful national squad.
“There are many positive things in this book. Datuk Rajagopal is a motivated person and someone with character, so for anyone who wants to know something about football history and about Datuk Rajagopal, they can buy this book,” said Khairul Fahmi.
Rajagopal’s tenure as national coach remains a highlight in Malaysian football history, with his name synonymous with one of the country’s most successful periods in the sport. — June 1, 2025