Shebby Singh

Serbgeth ("Shebby") Singh is a football coach, television commentator, and former international football player from Malaysia.

Playing career

Shebby started his football career as a central defender for local team Kuala Lumpur FA.

Shebby was part of the Kuala Lumpur FA team which won the Malaysia Cup three years in a row from 1987-9, and went on to play in the international arena for Malaysia.

Shebby played nine years of international football for Malaysia, including playing in three Asian Games in 1982, 1986 and 1990, and was a South East Asian Games gold medallist in 1989.

His career in domestic football lasted eighteen years from 1978-96. He won every domestic honour, including the Malaysia Cup, Malaysian FA Cup and League Championship.

He has played against the likes of Bayern Munich, Hamburg, Aston Villa and Newcastle.

Starting off as an overlapping fullback at 18, he spent many years as a 'holding midfielder', but realised his true potential after being converted into a 'libero' by Dr Josef Venglos who also made him captain of the Kuala Lumpur FA team. Going on to captain his country provided his proudest moments.

His ability to get into 'situations' both on and off the pitch is normal for someone who hungers for more knowledge to the point of obsession, but this self confessed 'student of the game' always had noble intentions.

Coaching and Media career

In 2006, Shebby coached the team from the popular Malaysian reality TV show "My Team", made up of non-professional players selected through trails in the Malaysian states, which lost 2-1 to the Malaysian national football team in an exhibition match at the National Stadium Bukit Jalil.

In 2007, Shebby once again took on the role of coach for MyTeam2, which played the Indonesian national football team and lost 2-0.

Shebby realised a long time dream with the advent of satellite television, and after four seasons of the EPL and European football with France '98 and Euro 2000 on Astro in Malaysia, he made the step up to international broadcasting in August 2001 with ESPN. He is best known for his football commentary and analysis on ESPN STAR Sports. He has got his fans and those who dislike his views. He was one of the two anchor for Astro's Athens Olympics coverage in 2004. He currently hosts his own show, called Score, on Astro Supersport.

Shebby is also a businessman, being the franchisee of FIELDTURF, a third generation artificial grass surface that is suitable for sports fields, golf and landscaping.

Personal life

The grandson of Sikh immigrants from the Punjab, India, Shebby grew up only wanting to play football and not until his international debut in 1982 did his parents acknowledge his abilities.

References

[http://www.espnstar.com/football/football_focus/football_focus_guests.html]

ee also

*Malaysia national football team
*MyTeam