The Sunday Times, Feb 15, 1998 Above all, he was a hero. On the pitch, Fandi Ahmad was genius personified. Off it, he showed a kindness and humility that endeared him to eight and 80-year-olds. Singaporeans have seen him grow from skinny kampung boy to regional soccer star to devoted family man. UNDATED : Starting young ... Fandi (bottom row, third from left) with his first team, the King Of ...