The great shake-up in the FA of Malaysia is now in place with many new faces at the national level.
While the Sultan of Pahang is still the president and Tengku Mahkota of Pahang, makes a return to soccer, many newcomers who have been critical of FA of Malaysia and promised to change the fortune of Malaysian soccer have found their places at the helm.
Without doubt there was immense campaigning among many who have found their places in FAM and the fact that many familiar faces have been unseated, only underlines that these people have managed to convince the affiliates that a change was in order.
Whether camps formed to garner support saw a particular group win several key positions or Selangor's stronghold in Malaysian soccer or the collaboration between Selangor and Kelantan, were the key factors to see sweeping changes, is now immaterial.
The presence of the Sultan of Pahang at the helm, should not be questioned because he is passionate of the game and is a great leader on all accords.
To have blamed him for Malaysia's soccer fortunes is a gross injustice.
How well he has performed is only reflected with the kind of support he has got from the affiliates in carrying out various policies put in place.
I have always maintained that how strong FAM is indicated not by the president of FAM, but the strength of the council.
Contrary to general believe that the Sultan of Pahang has his way in the Council, he has been the most democratic man and whatever decisions taken, has always been a Council decision - the affiliates themselves.
So if there is anyone guilty of the state of Malaysian soccer, it is the affiliates themselves.
More often than not, the affiliates have been selfish and put their State FA interest above national soccer interest.
It is hoped that all that will change with the new lineup.
However, if the new lineup also continue to place their State FA's interest above national interest, Malaysian soccer is not going to get better.
It is my sincere hope that the officials who have been elected "think national" and move forward.
Nothing can be achieved overnight, for Rome was not built in a day. It may be a cliche, but that is the plain truth.
Sound and effective policies need to be put in place, starting with emphasis with grassroots.
Once again, it must be reminded that we have to first learn to walk before we run.
There should be no short term plans put in place or be conned by individuals who say that they have an express plan to revive Malaysian soccer.
The Sultan of Pahang is going to see many "advisors and experts" knocking at his door from his present lineup with all sorts of ideas and plans.
Once too many times the Sultan has been misguided or have seen his "lieutenants" undermining his tolerance and understanding in the name of the game.
He cannot allow this to happen again from his new teams. Ideas are fine from his new team, but professional and expert assistance need to be in place to make the right "soccer" decision. Get the best soccer brains and administrators and do no compromise on quality or financial implications.
We certainly do not need another one to come along and promise a "Road Map to Soccer" which turned out to be a disaster.
There will be many others knocking the FAM doors too seeking for opportunities to make a fast buck as always.
FAM need to shut the doors to these unscrupulous fortune seekers who do not have a heart for Malaysian soccer. All that matters to these people is that they "milk" FAM.
The new lineup have campaigned to be elected and it is now time to walk the talk.
Let us see less talk, less politics, back-biting and placing self emphasis and instead see more action with the national soccer at heart.
The much talked about change has happened and it is hoped that the new faces do not take the same road as their predecessors, since they are now in the comfort zone already.
Without doubt many who are passionate of the game have been elected and it is hoped that they take FAM on the right path through professional decisions and plans, and throw out all their personal agendas - if they had come with any.
Let us move forward in the new decade and hopefully at the end of the ten years, everyone who had elected the present team can sit back and say that they had finally made the right decision to have elected a team who were capable of having led Malaysian soccer out of the doldrums.
Congratulations to all who have been elected, but the real test begins today and now!
THE FAM Exco (2010-2014)
President: Sultan Ahmad Shah (Pah).
Deputy presidents: Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah (Pah), Tan Sri Annuar Musa (Kel).
Vice-presidents: Datuk Subahan Kamal (Sel), Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin (Sel), Datuk Afandi Hamzah (Kel), Datuk Seri Abdullah Hishan (Per).
Exco members: Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan (Malays FA), Datuk Astaman Abdul Aziz (Kul), Mejar Rani Abdul Rahim (For), S. Sivasundram (MISC), Dr Hamdan Mohd Khalib (Ked), Datuk Osman Salleh (Pol), Rosmadi Ismail (Kel), Datuk Jeferey Low Han Chau (MCFA).
No comments:
Post a Comment