So, Keisha, what drew you to football, and when did you first start playing the beautiful game?
I started playing football when I was 7 years old. I was introduced to the sport by my cousins and father. Most of my cousins are boys, so every evening I loved watching them play football at my grandparents’ house. One day, I decided to join them, and from then on, I started to fall in love with football.
When did you realize that football was something you wanted to pursue seriously?
Besides football, I am also a sprinter, and I represented Selangor at the MSSM in 2023. It all started when I was at a camp for MSSM, and a friend asked for my help to replace her on a team that was looking for a player. I was excited but also worried because I had stopped playing football for a year. Nevertheless, I agreed to help her. From then on, I realized that I love football more than running, and I want to take football more seriously with the goal of representing my country one day.
Growing up in Ipoh in the '90s, your dad was a hero to many, including me. What has it been like for you to be the daughter of the legendary Khalid Jamlus?
I am proud of my dad’s achievements, but I don’t want people to recognize me just because of him. I want to build my own name, just like he did in the ’90s. I don’t want to use my father’s name or take advantage of it to pursue my goals in football. Instead, I want to work hard and achieve all my goals on my own.
Do you see many similarities between your style of play and your dad’s?
My dad used to play as a striker, which was also my position when I first started playing football. You might not see the similarities between us now, but maybe in the future, you will.
Which aspect of your game do you feel needs the most improvement?
I think I need to improve more on my mentality and quick decision-making on the field in any situation. I will keep training every day to get better, not to be better than anyone else, but to become the best version of myself.
Now that you’re competing in the FAS Girls League, what are your goals, and what do you hope to achieve this season?
My goal for this season is to improve myself on the field and to perform in every single game so that my team and coaches can be proud of me. I want to help us become champions of this league.
What about your long-term goals? Where do you see yourself in the next 2-3 years?
My goal for the next couple of years is to earn a scholarship to study and play football abroad. My dream is to represent my country and play in the Barcelona academy.
Is there a female footballer in Malaysia that you look up to? If so, why?
I don’t have a specific female footballer in Malaysia that I look up to, as so many of them have been incredibly kind and supportive towards me. However, I’ve always admired one of the greatest footballers in the world, Neymar Jr. I idolize him and aspire to be like him one day.
Let’s shift gears a bit—what’s Keisha like off the field? Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of football?
I live with a large family, so when I’m off the field, I love spending quality time with them. We often enjoy traveling together, going on camping trips, and immersing ourselves in nature, which helps us create lasting memories.
As we finish up, what’s one thing you’re most proud of that’s not related to football?
One of the accomplishments I am most proud of is my success in track and field. While representing Selangor at MSSM 2023, I achieved 2 silver medals and 1 gold medal, which stand out as significant milestones in my athletic journey. These victories represent countless hours of dedication and hard work, and they are my biggest achievements so far. I take great pride in these accomplishments, and they motivate me to continue striving for excellence in both sports and life.