KAMPUNG BOY KIM SENG SHOWS THERE IS LIFE AFTER FOOTBALL

Tony Mariadass

Taking every challenge with a positive approach see’s Kim Seng rise to conquer

BANTING: Former international defender, See Kim Seng, is proof that there is life after football, if one plans well, works hard, willing to face challenges, be prudent and keep one’s feet firm on the ground always.

The 56-year-old father of five daughters, who grew up at Kampong Kelanang, Banting, has come a long way to establish himself as a successful businessman, since he last played for Negri Sembilan in 1994.

He has managed a heavy machinery business successfully from 1995 to 2013, before recession saw him fold the business, then set up his own heavy machinery company for a few years, and after his last job during the building of KLIA 2, decided to go into managing a golf driving range at the Desa Driving Range at Shah Alam – his second, after the first in Bandar Baru Kelang in 2015, where his contract of the range was not renewed after three years - and now runs a seafood restaurant – Attapka – since February.

Kim Seng who took up golfing after football and was a single handicapper, also runs a coaching clinic for children at his range, but now has asked his friend to run it, because he has to concentrate on his seafood restaurant.

“I was lucky that I had people who were willing to assist me and my name as a footballer helped. But in the end, I had to prove myself and work hard to make the business successful,” said Kim Seng who had a tough life growing up.

“For instance, it was friend and my football fan, who asked to set up the heavy machinery business. The current golf range owner - David Lee Cheng Chew – has given me a good rental price as his business was down and wanted to turn it around. The seafood business belonged to my youngest brother (Kim Huat), who asked me to take over as his health was ailing.

“I come from a family of seven and was the fifth. As a 12-year-old I used to follow my late father (See Thiam Sem) who ran a fruit shop, to buy coconuts and fruits, from plantations by bicycle first before he got a motorcycle.

“Coming from a small town and kampong, I knew what hardship was all about and was always prudent and saved whatever I could for a rainy day.

“It is not how much you earn, but how much you can safe. A father can give his son 1 million ringgit, but it will all come to nought if the son does not know how to utilise the money well.

“I was very careful not to be distracted by the bright city lights when I played football. I did not earn much as compared to players these days, but I managed to safe and did not spend unnecessarily or spoil myself.”

Kim Seng said life was no different in his football career where he had to work hard and make sacrifices.

“Nothing came was on a silver platter,” said Kim Seng

Kim Seng started playing football as a striker, as a kampong boy with estate players near his home.

Chinese educated at his primary school SRJK Simpan Morib and later at SM Sg Manggis till Form Three and in SMK Telok Datuk, he first played for his school teams, before turning out for the Kuala Langat District team in the Selangor premier league.

It was with the district team that Kim Seng was spotted by the late international midfield maestro Wong Choon Wah, was who playing for Selangor Chinese Recreation Club (SCRC), when playing in the league match in Banting.

“Choon Wah and the team officials offered me a job and asked to come to the city and play for them. When I told them I was only 16 and still in school, they were surprised,” said See laughing aloud who said he was well built then itself from all the hard work he had to undergo.

“They then asked me to play for them on match days and I would travel to KL taking a bus on game day in the afternoon and return home about 10pm. My older brother (Ah Hock) would wait at the bus stand in Banting and bring me home on his motorcycle.”

Kim Seng went on to play for Selangor schools in the Rahman Cup and Razak Cup and donned national colours in the Asean Schools football championship for two years – 1981 in Jakarta and 1982 in Bangkok where he captained the team.

It was in 1984, that he was selected to the Selangor team and with a star-studded team with the likes of the late Mokhtar Dahari, K. Rajagobal, Norbit Shah and other notable names, he warmed the bench and only played one match against Armed Forces.

Next year, frustrated, he returned to just play in the Selangor league for SCRC. It was here that late Chow Kwai Lam spotted him and took him to play for Kuala Lumpur in late 1986.

See  Kim Seng (right) in KL colurs in defence with teammate Chow Siew Yai

It was Dr Josef Veglos who took charge of the KL team in 1987, that converted Kim Seng from a striker to a defender. He played for KL till 1992 (wining the Malaysia Cup for a record three times – 1987-1989), before moving to Negri Sembilan for two years before he called it quits.

Kim Seng standing back row far right with KL Malaysia Cup team with their trophies  1988 treble champions Malaysia Cup, League Cup and Charity Shield

As a national player he has a winner’s medal from the 1989 Sea Games under English coach Trevor Hartley and a 1993 Merdeka tournament medal under Australian coach Ken Worden besides playing in the World Cup and Asian Cup qualifiers and King’s Cup in Thailand where he captained the team.

“I am glad that I have managed my life well after football and in something totally unrelated to football. My advice to young footballers is not just look at jobs related to football after the playing days. Venture out and take whatever opportunities are available and work hard it to make it a success.

“I am also glad that besides having done well in business, I have also educated my children well and also got them involved in sports,” said Kim Seng proudly, whose wife, Wong Show Mei was a Tanggak district volleyball player.

His youngest daughter, See Wye, who turns 13 on Aug 29, is his apple of the eye and competes in the SportsExcel Junior Golf Circuit and has represented SportExcel at the New Delhi Junior Open championship last year.

See Wye a student of SMK Bukit Jelutong, also excels rhythmic gymnastics having had podium finishes in several events, including the Vitrigo International Championship, Pesta Gimnastik (champion, group exercise) and the Selangor Schools Sports Council (MSSS) competition.

Kim Seng said he is equally proud of his other siblings, See Min, 26, (former Bukit Jalil Sports School and wushu junior national champion and now nutritionist at National Sports Institute), See Man, 23, (third year law student at Multimedia University, See Moon, 22 (graduate in Language from Universiti Malaya specialising in Italian) and See Won, 21 (waiting for entry to University). Both See Moon and See Won, also represented Selangor schools in rhythmic gymnastics.

Kim Seng with his princess standing from left  see Min, See Mon, See Man and See Won  and seated from left wife Doris Wong Show Mei and youngest daughter See Wye

 “I tried to get my other daughters involved in golf but they complained it was too hot. See Wye was different. She didn’t complain about the heat at all and from the way she swings the club and I saw natural talent” said Kim Seng of See Wye whom he introduced to the game when she was eight.

While Kim Seng admitted that he spends most of his time now at his seafood restaurant, starting as early as 7am to buy the seafood from the fishing village and open his shop from 11am to midnight, he was not going to neglect to see See Wye become a top women golfer.

His wife now manages the driving range besides her own business of cleaning services.

Former veteran international. a member of the 1972 Munich Oympics qualifying tournament in Seoul, V. Kalimutu, drops by at Attapa Seafood to support Kim Seng

While Kim Seng does not do the cooking and has hired experienced cooks, he is still busy at the restaurant taking orders, managing the cash register and making sure the food is served fast besides being the public relation man talking to his customers.

Kim Seng taking order at his restaurant

Kim Seng keeps his prices very affordable because most of his customers are from Banting and not all of them are doing well.

He also sponsors one or two tables each other for poor families around the area working with the Community Service centres.

Among his specialities and favourites among his customers are Pari Fish Curry, Fried sotong, Dried chilli chicken and Chilli Crab.

Nestled in a shed of trees, the hut-styled seating for privacy or for bigger groups at the main restaurant, it is Located at Lot 325, Jalan Pulau Banting, 42700, Banting, and open from 11.30am to 11.00pm.

ENDS

WAY FORWARD FOR EX-SPORTMEN TO GIVE BACK TO SPORTS

Tony Mariadass

 Ex-internationals can make a difference to sports standards in the country

 

Sportsmen from the tiny settlement of Setapak Hot Spring who went on to become national heroes via their football team – Hotspurs – in the 60s, can continue their legacy by giving back to the game despite their ripe age.

Hot Spring New Village from the 1960s to the 1990s and their field, was at the heart and soul of many youths from the B40 group (as they are classified now).

These youths like all others had just one desire – to excel in their lives. But opportunities were few and far between. One thing that changed the lives of many was the field, literally at the centre of the settlement. Houses ringed the field, which was the focal point of all sporting activities, like a concentric circle, and football was the most popular and not surprisingly attracted many youths to participate and to learn to enjoy the game. 

The settlement’s sports committee must surely belong in the annals of local sporting history for their achievements in producing national football players, coaches, referees, hockey players, government servants and professionals.

Hotspurs famous football sons include national players Santokh Singh, K. Ragagobal, R. Subramaniam, national youth players N. Nallathamby (also national referee) and S. Supramaniam, while in hockey, internationals Avtar Singh Gill, Updesh Singh and Balbir Singh Gill a former hockey coaching director with the national body, were also all products of Hot Spring.

Several others like late K. Gengarajoo (Rajagobal’s older brother) played for Malacca in the 70s, while others from the 80s era like late Ramachandran (Subramaniam’s brother), A. N. Chandrasegar, N. Suresh (Nallathamby’s son), Ishak Kunju (now Police FC coach) played for Kuala Lumpur youth and senior team.

Our playing field from left Supramaniam, Steven, Tommy, Rajagobal, Thomas, Pathimanathan, Santokh, Rajasooria and front row Subramaniam, Nallathamby and Ishak

Today, the group which is still together and meet regularly to reminisce their sporting heyday, believe they can still contribute towards and help the younger generation of sportsmen especially the less fortunate who are in dire need of assistance.

Fittingly, on Sept 16 which is Malaysia Day, seven members of the Hotspurs football squad made their way to the MySkills Foundation Campus in Kalumpang, Hulu Selangor.

The brainchild of lawyer S. Pasupathi, the Foundation was created for children (boys and girls) from broken homes, the less fortunate, those involved in gangs and school dropouts who have very limited opportunities and regarded "At-Risk Youths", to get a crack at mainstream life.

The Foundation’s goal was to give these youths another chance at life. Founded about 10 years ago, its main aim is to move these children from a vulnerable environment to a secure homely atmosphere which could alter their lives.

The general idea is to teach them a set of skills and link it with Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia (SKM.) These youths join the Foundation when they 13 years and remain till they are 19 and are thought living as well as vocational skills. At the end of their stay before they leave the campus, they are presented with a skill certificate which hopefully will help them meet life's challenges. 

The 35-acre campus at Kalumpang was bought partly with Government assistance in 2014 and took in the first batch of students in early 2018.

Still being developed in phases, it is currently home to about 60 boys between the ages of 13 and 19 years. The first batch of girls are expected to move in early next year as soon as their dormitory is ready.

About 1,000 youths have so far graduated from MySkills since its inception. 

Hotspurs FC members saw an opportunity to give back to the game through sports, mainly football which is a main element of character building which could benefit the children of Myskills.

 Group photo with all players of Myskills, their directors and Hotspurs players at the end coaching session at their campus in Kalumpang.

“We have been looking for an opportunity where we can share our experience with a young group with similar interest and MySkills fitted the bill. Besides, they have excellent sporting facilities in Kalumpang and we saw an opportunity where this centre can become a hub to produce players for the future, just like what Hot Springs did,” said Supramaniam who, besides playing for Malaysia in the Asian football tournament, also did Setapak proud by graduating as a lawyer from University of Malaya and is now the president of the Malaysian Evaluation Society.

And it was indeed a treat for the boys of the Foundation when the Hotspurs team who visited them included Santokh Singh, Nallathamby, Rajagobal, Surpramaniam, Lt Col (Rtd) Tommy Pereira (one of the founder members of Hotspurs), Steven Puung (president of the veteran Hotspurs FC) and S. Logarajah (former Hotspurs player and chef who held a demonstration at the campus).

The visiting Hotspurs, after a briefing by the CEO of MySkills Campus, Devasharma Gangadaran and a tour of the campus, interacted with the 25 players who are part of the football programme at the campus, before giving motivational talks.

Pereira spoke of his life in Hotspring and his stint at Sanders UK (where he did his army training), Santokh elicited much enthusiasm with his witty remarks and Rajagobal talked of the exploits of the Malaysian team, especially the winning teams under his care in Asean Football Federation tournament and SEA Games. A short video clip was shown to impress the young minds on what is possible.

 

The action then moved to the field where all Hotspurs players – Rajagopal, Santokh, Nallathamby - took them through proper techniques of warm-ups. The boys were then divided into two teams to play a game and after observing them play for a while, Rajagobal and Santokh stopped the game to point out the good and bad points of their game and mistakes they should avoid. 

The MySkills team were presented with two sets of jerseys and training balls by Hotspurs officials. 

Presentation of training balls and jerseys by Rajagobal to director of MySkills, Pasupathi with others from left Nallathamby, Santokh, Raghavan Annamala, Pasupathi Sithamparam (Myskills directors) Devasharm

Supramaniam said Hotspurs intend to continue to assist the team by holding coaching clinics from time to time and to find a permanent coach for them.

 “We also intend to send one or two volunteer officials who work in the campus to attend a basic coaching course so that they can coach the team more regularly and monitor their progress. There are also plans to enter the team in a local league or even organise a youth league for teams in the Hulu Selangor area.

“We hope our efforts will see a few raw talents move up the ranks and become future stars.”

Rajagobal conducting a training session assisted by Santokh and Nallathamby

Indeed, it was a noble gesture by the Hotspurs veterans and if only other ex-international and state associations of various sports can emulate them, sports will certainly benefit a great deal, especially those who are deprived of the opportunity of proper training and avenues.

Sometimes, it is not all about money, but what one can give back from the benefits they have reaped and were lucky to have had opportunities available to them.

Ends.

WILL FAM RUE THE EXIT OF BIGWIG PETER DE ROO?

Tony Mariadass

FMT

September 22, 2020 

Questions abound over the refusal of FA of Malaysia (FAM) technical director Peter de Roo to extend his contract.

His premature exit is baffling as over the past three years he played a major role in executing FAM’s Roadmap 2019-2030 that aims to transform Harimau Malaya into a force in Asian and world football.

Based on de Roo’s posting on his Facebook last week, where he announced his decision not to extend his contract which expires in December this year, it is obvious he was not ready to leave.

He wrote after his meeting with FAM president Hamidin Mohd Amin: “I say with great pain in my heart that I’m not ready to leave as it feels we are just getting started. My time with FAM has been a great journey which I thoroughly enjoyed.”

Did a conspiracy against him make it untenable for him to carry out his duties? Did the FAM have other plans? Was someone else eyeing de Roo’s job? Did de Roo decide to move on in July when he hinted that he may not extend his contract and was considering other offers?

In response, Hamidin said: “We have offered him a new contract and want him to carry on with his tasks. However, if we can’t match his offers, then we will think about alternatives.

“It is better for him to remain with us as the DNA project (vision and philosophy) is his baby, and we want this initiative to help change the landscape of Malaysian football.”

His exit could result in head of the coaching education unit, David Abela, also leaving on expiry of his contract in December. The Australian was roped in by de Roo.

Abela is back in Australia and FAM will discuss the matter with him on his return. His contract allows him to live in Australia and come to Malaysia for stints but this may prove to be an obstacle if his term is extended.

It is no secret that de Roo’s relationship with local coaches is shaky. Some disagree with his philosophy and methods and have been working against him, while others have been supportive.

Then, there are those who believe that a local coach should be the technical director.

Perhaps, a recent interview with de Roo on the View and Review (VAR) Show may give a clue about his reluctance to renew his contract.

He lamented the cancellation of youth tournaments – the President’s and Youth Cups – due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the scant attention paid by state football associations to development programmes.

It was of paramount importance for Asian football to place emphasis on development of the game to be on par or close to European standards, he said.

Local coaches were upset when he said the M-League was not up to the mark because of questionable coaching methods.

He also held firm that football decisions should be made by football experts and not by owners, presidents or members of the board whose knowledge of the game was limited.

Several names are in the mix for the technical director’s post: leading the pack is former national youth coach Ong Kim Swee, at present the assistant technical director-cum-youth development unit head.

Others include B. Sathianathan, who was sacked yesterday, two days after Selangor lost 6-1 to Johor DT, as well as Kedah’s Azaari Khor and former National Football Development Programme project director Lim Teong Kim.

Names for Coach Educator have also surfaced and in the fray are former national coach Wan Jamak Hassan, who is a FAM coaching instructor, and Penang’s former national striker C. Nadarajan, also an instructor.

To add to FAM’s woes, the head of the grassroots unit, Samuel Siew, has also quit to take up an offer in England.

An official statement from FAM on its plans following de Roo’s departure is expected this week.

Malaysian football has failed to make any impression since the late 80s despite having technical directors such as the late Richard Bates, Ronald Smith, late N. Raju, Robert Alberts, Lim Kim Chon and Fritz Schmid.

Will the next one make a difference?

 BLOG VERSION

Tony Mariadass Column Sept 19

 

Will the exit of Peter de Roo see FA of Malaysia rue?

FA of Malaysia must ensure exit of Technical Director will not derail future plans

 Is there more to it than meets the eye regarding FA of Malaysia technical director Peter de Roo’s not wanting to extend his contract after serving three years and playing a major role in the implementation of the national body’s Roadmap 2019-2030 (F:30)?

Based on the 50-year-old de Roo’s posting on his Facebook on Tuesday, after his meeting with FA of Malaysia president Hamidin Mond Amin, where he announced his decision not to extend his contract which expires in December 2020, it was obvious he was not ready to leave.

“With a heavy heart, I met with the president of the Football Association of Malaysia and told him of my decision to not extend my contract that expires at the end of 2020.

“I say this with great pain in my heart, because somehow I feel that I’m not ready to leave, as it feels we are just getting started. My time with FAM has been a great journey which I thoroughly enjoyed. I loved working with so many amazing people in Malaysian football and especially with the staff in my department. Thank you all for your love and support,” de Roo posted in his Facebook account.

So why did he decide not to extend his contract and leave prematurely?

Was there a conspiracy against him which led to him not being able to carry out his duties with all the opposition against him?

Did the FA of Malaysia have other plans? Was someone else eyeing de Roo’s job?

Did de Roo already decide to move on as there were telling signs as early as in July that he may not extend his contract and hinted he had offers from elsewhere? 

Did things eventually turn sour between the FA of Malaysia and de Roo?

The FA of Malaysia will only give an official statement next week on Roo’s departure and their future plans.

In July, when news first surfaced that de Roo, who hails from Holland, was not going to extend his contract, Hamidin had responded:

“Yes, De Roo’s contract is expiring soon. However, we have offered him a new contract, and currently both parties are in discussion.

“We want him to stay and carry on with his tasks here. However, if we can’t match his other offers, then we would think about other alternatives.

“But frankly, it is better for him to remain with us as the DNA project is his baby, and we want this initiative to help change the landscape of Malaysian football."

Roo’s departure could also result in Head of Coaching Education Unit, David Abela, who was brought in by de Roo from Australia and whose contract also expires at the end of December, is also expected to leave.

Abela is currently back in Australia, and FAM will discuss with him the situation on his return.

Abela is not based in Malaysia but his contract allows him to stay in Australia and come to Malaysia for stints. This may prove to be an obstacle, if it comes to extending his contract.

Another who also wants to exit is Sameul Siew, Head of Grassroots Unit, who has also tendered his resignation but has nothing to do with the pending departures of de Roo or Abela.

Siew is taking up an offer in England to better his career.

Back to de Roo. It is no secret that his relationship with local coaches blows hot and cold. While some are supportive of his presence, there are others who do not agree with his philosophy and methods.

Then, there are those who believe that a local coach should be the Technical Director.

There are murmurs that a group of local coaches has been critical of de Roo and working against him.

Several names have already cropped up immediately after de Roo announced he will not extend his contract. Among the favourites is former national youth coach Ong Kim Swee, who is currently the assistant technical director-cum-youth development unit head.

Other names which have also surfaced include B. Sathianathan (whose contract was supposed to end at the end of the year was unceremoniously sacked today (Monday after Selangor 6-1 defeat to Johor DT on Saturday), Kedah’s Azaari Khor and former National Football Development Programme project director, Lim Teong Kim.

Names for Coach Educator have also surfaced and one surprising candidate is former national coach Wan Jamak Hassan, who is also a coaching instructor with FAM and Penang's former national striker C. Nadarajan who is currently, also an instructor.

While de Roo is not saying anything more than what he has posted in his Facebook, his recent interview with The VAR Show - The View and Review Show (a pun on the VAR), may give a clue as to his reluctance to renew his contract because of frustrations in certain areas.

He underlined in the interview three areas in Asian football which is of utmost importance for the development of the game to be on par or close to European standards. They are:

   # Youth competition is of utmost importance and maybe with the cancellation of youth tournaments – President’s and Youth Cup - because of the Covid 19 pandemic, and minimum attention given by State FAs to youth development, de Roo’s frustration has been building up.

   #Performance of M-League is not up to what it is capable of because coaching standards generally are not up to the mark. Local coaches took offence this, but what de Roo meant was the coach education was not at its highest level to see the coaches at their best.

  #And finally de Roo strongly believes that football decisions must be made by football experts and not owners, presidents or members of the board whose knowledge of the game is very limited.

While de Roo’s departure may leave a huge void in the Malaysian coaching set-up, FAM believes that with or without De Roo, their plans will not be derailed as all plans are in place and it is just a matter of carrying it out.

Time will tell and FAM needs to be more careful and selective when they pick of their future technical directors.

Malaysia simply has had one too many come and go (both local and foreign) and Malaysian football has failed to make any impression.

Among those who have come as Technical Directors since the late 80s are the likes of the late Richard Bate, Ronald Smith, late N. Raju, Robert Alberts, Lim Kim Chon and Fritz Schmid.

Ends.

FAM MUST BE FIRM IN TRANSITION OF STATE TEAMS TO FOOTBALL CLUBS

FMT

Tony Mariadass

 September 15, 2020 7:30

 

The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) must be ready to meet different challenges if they hope to realign the M-League, their professional League of 26 years’ standing.

Applications for licences to compete in the M-League’s 2021 competition must be filed by today, while there is a deadline of Sept 30 for participating teams to be turned into football clubs, and not managed by state football associations.

It is mandatory for states and clubs to privatise their teams and be licensed by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

There will be no extensions to the deadlines and FAM is assisting teams that are facing problems with the transition.

FAM general secretary Stuart Ramalingam said that while problems were expected closer to the deadlines, decisions will be made in the best interest of football.

While it has not been smooth going for the state FAS, most of them have been cooperative during the process, said Ramalingam.

The move will change the landscape of Malaysian football and FAM is bracing itself to play a bigger “educational and empowering” role to ensure the stability of the structure and to evolve further.

Ramalingam said: “The FA to FC is a journey, not a destination and we have only taken the first step.”

It is a giant, long overdue leap and Hamidin Mohd Amin, president of FAM and Malaysian Football League (MFL), cautioned:

“The days of handling things with kid gloves are over. Next year, we will go by the book. Teams have to be mindful as MFL will not be lenient anymore.”

Changing the mindset of present officials overnight is not going to be easy despite Malaysian football having gone professional almost three decades ago.

There is strong indication that many officials in the state FAs are going to jump across to the FCs. FAM remains firm that officials cannot be in both bodies.

The exodus to FCs would mean new state FA officials will emerge and this could be good and bad.

Good, because a younger set of officials could emerge. Whether it is attractive for ‘new blood’ is debatable because their jobs are not glamorous as they would be confined to grassroots development and state leagues.

Bad, because educating new state FA officials on the workings of FAM and waiting for them to work efficiently could take time.

The attraction has always been that managing the professional teams is where the money is.

Whether the mindset of state FA officials who move to FCs will change is anybody’s guess.

FAM is also concerned about the appointments of clubs’ CEOs because a great deal of success will hinge on their calibre and ability to chart a professional course.

Then again, several outfits may not be able to form a company to manage their teams and may not have the means to become a FC.

They could end up in the amateur M3 League. Those who could be affected include Felda and UiTM in the Super League and UKM in the Premier League.

There could also be teams who do not qualify for the licence.

If these situations occur, the number of teams in the Super League could be reduced or teams could be promoted from Premier League to keep the 12-team format.

That, in turn, might see fewer teams in the second-tier league which presently also has 12 teams.

FAM and MFL look set to have their hands full when both the deadlines expire, making the transitions a tedious process.

BLOG VERSION 

 

Tony Mariadass Column Sept 12

 

FA of Malaysia need to remain steadfast in transition to FCs

 Changing the landscape of Malaysian football is going to be tedious process

 

THE Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) must be ever ready to meet different types of challenges if they hope to finally put things right in their 26-year-old professional League.

The deadline for applications for licences to compete in the 2021 M-league was on Aug 31, and the final date for financial details is Sept 15 while the deadline for privatisation of teams to be managed by Football Club (FC) and not State Football Associations (FA), is on Sept 30.

It is now mandatory that states and clubs must privatise their teams and be licensed by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

FAM who has been communicating with State FAs for a while now, are determined not to alter the deadlines. The national body is also assisting teams who are facing problems with the transition and is aware of the problems they are facing.

FAM general secretary Stuart Michael Ramalingam, however, said that it was not FAM's intention to look to fail them, but will instead work to help them resolve their issues immediately with a long-term plan in place.

Ramalingam admitted: “We expect to face a few ‘problems’ as we get closer to the deadline but we will deal with it and ensure the decisions made are in the best interest of football.”

While some opposition was expected from State FAs for the transition or asking for postponements as they have been doing for the last five years, surprisingly most have been very cooperative during the entire process.

It has not been smooth sailing for the State FAs for various reasons, but it is a journey they have all embarked on without much complaints or resistance.

The move will definitely change the landscape of Malaysian football and with it FA of Malaysia can expect to face problems despite its optimism that it will only be minor ones.

FAM is already bracing itself for several stages of action, after formalising the FA to FC transition. The first evolves into a more "educational/empowering" role to ensure the structure and stability can be maintained, enhanced and further evolve.

 Ramalingam stressed: “This FA to FC is a journey - not a destination and we have only taken the first step.”

Indeed, it is a giant leap long overdue and as president of FA of Malaysia and Malaysian Football League (MFL), Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin said in no uncertain terms: “The days of handling things with kid gloves are over. From next year onwards we go strictly by the book. Teams have to be mindful, as MFL will not be lenient anymore.”

But changing the mindset of present officials overnight is not going to be easy despite Malaysian football having gone professional for almost three decades.

There is already strong indication that many officials in the State FA setup are going to jump across to the FCs.

FAM remains firm that officials cannot be in both the State FA and FC too.

The exodus of State FA officials to FC would mean new State FA officials will emerge and this could be good and bad.

Good, because we hopefully will see a new and younger set of officials emerge. But whether it is attractive for this ‘new blood’ to come aboard is left to be seen because their job is not glamorous – to handle grassroots development and state leagues.

Bad, as FAM with a new set of officials at the State FAs, will have to educate them on the workings of the national body and see them work efficiently which could take time.

The attraction has always been managing the professional teams which is where the money is.

And if State FA officials move to FCs, will anything change, as they come with the mindset of State FA officials.

Ramalingam admitted that some states will move staff between FA and FC over the coming weeks/months.

“Although we see that whilst this may have a "negative impression", it has many benefits too. Transitions are never easy and having a steadying management does help during this time,” said Ramalingam.

“However the management of a football team/club needs to be led via a thorough and robust long-term strategic plan. For the short term, using ex-FA staff to stabilise the transition but with an idea of achieving the true potential of the FC requires new mindsets, talent and ideas, then the FC needs to quickly look into that needed long-term changes.

“I must say that some potential staff within a few of the FAs seem great talent to take lead of FCs. I am sure this process will be an eye opener for many and FAM will continue to play its role as a guardian of football even if you are a FA or FC.”

FAM is also concerned on teams appointing the right persons to become CEOs of the FC because a great deal on the success of the FC will depend on calibre CEOs to chart the professional path of their teams.

Then, FAM is bound to be faced with several teams who cannot convert to FCs as an Act in their organisation does not allow them to form a company to manage their team, or do not have the means to become a FC and may opt to play in the amateur M3 League.

Among those who could be affected include Felda and UiTM in the Super League and UKM in the Premier League.

Then, there could be teams who do not qualify for the licence.

If all this happens, then MFL will have to determine the number of teams in the Super League, which could see a reduced number or have teams promoted from Premier League to keep the 12-team format and see a reduced number of teams in the second-tier league which presently also has 12 teams. 

Certainly, all indications are that the FA of Malaysia and MFL will have their hands full when both the deadlines are passed and without doubt will make the transitions a tedious process.

Ends.