Chelsea stars fulfil lifelong dream of fan living with motor neurone disease

KUALA LUMPUR: A devoted Chelsea fan battling Motor Neurone Disease had his lifelong dream come true when he crossed paths with the Premier League stars following a friendly match in Iskandar Puteri, Johor. Khairul Nizam Mohd Kolil, a 42-year-old father of three, had reached out to MND Malaysia seeking assistance to watch Chelsea play Johor Darul Ta zim (JDT) during a match at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium on August 9.

Despite his condition severely limiting his mobility and speech, Khairul's love for the football club remained unwavering. On June 10, an MND Malaysia representative reached out to Major (Rtd) Ahmad Nurzahid Mohd Yusoff, the organization's chairman, who promptly agreed to aid in making his wish come true. Following his approval, two tickets were procured on June 22.

On June 28, MND Malaysia surprised Khairul with the tickets at his residence. To provide a more enriching experience, MND Malaysia contacted the Chelsea FC Supporters Club Malaysia on July 16 to explore opportunities for a meeting or photo opportunity. Datuk Christopher Raj, the chief executive officer of Shekhinah PR, stepped in to offer support on July 16.

On August 6, the players convened with Khairul after the match, signing his jersey and cap, while one player even presented him with his match jersey. On August 10, Khairul, his family, and the MND Malaysia team visited Skyscape Johor Bahru for lunch before returning to Kuala Lumpur.