Dole mentality must go (The Malay Mail)

STATE FAs had better get into the habit of being self-reliant because
centralised sponsorship and hefty grants will be a thing of the past with
the corporatisation of the M-League.
 And State FAs cannot say they have not been forewarned because it is in
the M-League report prepared by FA of Malaysia secretary-general Datuk
Paul Mony and distributed to all associations.
 FA of Malaysia adopted centralised sponsorship when the Semi-pro league
was inaugurated in 1989 mainly because of the uneven distribution of
economic wealth amongst the States, which make up the Football
Associations.
 The centralised system covers 65 per cent of the States' budget which
includes title sponsor, advertising boards and advertisement of the
jersey.
 The teams are allowed to secure secondary sponsors for logos at the back
of jerseys and the left hand sleeve. They also have the right of sale to
about 35 per cent of the advertising boards.
 The grant from a mere RM150,000 in 1989 has over the years been
increased to RM750,000 (1996 and 1997) and last year each State received a
minium of RM1 million, which included RM250,000 for development.
 There has been a further increase this year and it could well come close
to RM1.5 million.
 One of the reasons for the extra grant to the State FAs is because, FA
of Malaysia in 1998 saw the end of sponsorship rights as the national body
secured a very lucrative sponorship package with more than 100 per cent
increase from the previous year with a single main sponsor.
 The centralised system covers 80 per cent since last year where the main
sponsor dominates the advertising scene.
 But the concept of centralised sponsorship may slowly be decentralised
with the corporatisation plan of the M-league, allowing the fittest teams
to survive.
 And it is indeed surprising to see State FAs still clamouring for more
subsidies from FAM when they should be preparing to stand on their own
feet.
 The State FAs are indeed lucky as FAM have a unique system in the
distribution of gate receipts.
 Since matches are played on a home and away basis, the home team retain
80 per cent of the gate receipts, whilst 20 per cent is paid as levy to
FAM.
 Since there was a drop in gate receipts last season, FAM have reduced
their levy to just 10 per cent this season.
 The levy is used for common expenses like payment for match officals,
travelling for particpating teams and a trust fund for professional
players.
 FAM provide further subsidy as they have secured 50 per cent discount
for internal travel through Malaysia Airlines.
 State FAs even get office equipment worth about RM12,000 each year
through another sponsor which FAM have secured.
 Even with all the funding, we find State FAs running into financial
problems mainly because of poor management or lavish spending.
 The end of FAM's funding could well see true professional teams and
associations emerge to lift the standard of Malaysia soccer.
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