Sein Hlaing

Sein Hlaing
စိန်လှိုင်
Personal information
Full nameSein Hlaing
Date of birth10 November 1918
Place of birthRangoon, British Burma
Date of death7 May 2010 (aged 91)
Playing positionRight Midfielder
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
1938–1939Seven Stars FC
1940Friends Union FC
1940Myanmar national football team
Teams managed
1952–1962Criminal Investigation Department FC
1962–1979Myanmar national youth football team
1964–1979Myanmar national football team
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.
† Appearances (Goals).

Sein Hlaing (Burmese: စိန်လှိုင်, pronounced: [sèiɴ l̥àiɴ]; 10 November 1918 – 7 May 2010) was a Myanmar national football team player and coach from Myanmar, regarded as being the most successful coach in the history of the national team. Sein Hlaing was awarded FIFA Order of Merit in 2004 in recognition of his achievements as a coach.[1]

History

Sein Hlaing was born in Tamwe township in Yangon to Daw Su and U Yeit. He attended Myoma National High School.[2] He began playing football at a young age and appeared for the Seven Stars club while still at high school in 1938. Later in 1940, he played for the Friends Union club in Burma's top level of club football as well as the Burma national team as a right midfielder.

After his playing career ended, he took up his first coaching post with the Criminal Investigation Department club in 1952. After serving as coach with this club for ten years, he was appointed coach of the Burma national youth team in 1962. During his tenure as coach, the youth team enjoyed success - winning the Asian Under 20 tournament twice outright, and four more times shared with other teams.

From 1964, he was also coach of the full national team. He coached the national team to victory in the Asian Football Championships in 1966 and 1970 and in the Southeast Asian Games tournaments in 1967, 1969, 1971 and 1973. Myanmar shared the title with Thailand in 1965. This is the most successful period in Burmese football history.

He coached the team that qualified for, and played in the 1972 Olympic Games where, despite being eliminated in the first round, the Burmese team won the Fair Play award.[3] He continued to coach the national team until retiring in 1979.

In 2004 he was awarded the Centennial Order of Merit by FIFA in recognition of his achievements as a coach.

Achievements

The following is a list of championships achieved under his leadership.[2]

Death

Sein Hlaing died of complications from diabetes on 7 May 2010 at his home at 42nd St, Botataung Township in Yangon.[2]

References

  1. Saw Thiha (July 5–11, 2004). "FIFA gives recognition for coach with the golden touch". The Myanmar Times.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Coach Sein Hlaing of Golden Age of Burmese Football Dies". Bi-Weekly Eleven (in Burmese) (Yangon: Eleven Media Group): 29. 2010-05-14.