Perlis President Cup keeper Saiful Niza killed in accident

Perlis President Cup goalkeeper, Muhammad Saiful Niza Nasir, 18, who was on his way to attend training was killed in a road accident at Jalan Raja Syed Alwi, Titi Chai, near here at 7.15am today.

Kangar deputy police chief DSP Zaini Talib said the victim, who was riding a motorcycle from his house in Taman Kemajuan, Kangar to Gunung Medan in Utan Aji had tried to avoid a lorry that was parked on the road shoulder but lost control and hit an electric pole.

"Due to the impact, the victim's head was severed," said Zaini. Saiful's father Nasir Mat Arip, 47, an armed forces retiree said he and his family were in Penaga, Penang when his daughter Anis Maisara, 21, informed him

of the accident.

"I did not expect him to go first. Only on Sunday he had called me to inform that he has been called up to attend training with the Perlis senior squad which plays in the Premier League.

"My wish to see him progress further in football has now ended but I have to accept his death," he said at the Tuanku Fauziah Hospital (HTF), here.

Nasir said Saiful, his third of five children, was hoping to sign a contract with the Perlis Football Association, tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Perlis coach Dollah Salleh was also saddened by the fact that he was not able to witness the potential of the talented Saiful who would have made an ideal goalkeeper with his height of 180cm.

The remains of the former Frenz United Under-15 player were buried after the Asar prayers at the Al-Falah Mosque in Behor Mempelam, Arau, today.