NO ROOM FOR COMFORT

FAM executive committee members told to be prepared for hard work

AJITPAL SINGH AND DEVINDER SINGH nstsport@nst.com.my

WHEN newly elected president Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim stepped onto the podium to take his seat with his new FA of Malaysia (FAM) committee, the Johor royalty told them not to get too comfortable as work starts immediately.

And new deputy presidents, Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal and Datuk Yusoff Mahadi have pledged to work tirelessly with Tunku Ismail to take football to the next level.

FA of Selangor (FAS) president Subahan erased the memories of losing in the 2014 election for the same post by garnering the most number of votes yesterday.

Subahan received 37 votes as compared to Yusoff’s 33 and incumbent Datuk Seri Afandi Hamzah’s six.

Only 38 delegates from 20 affiliates voted yesterday as Kelantan FA (Kafa) advisor Tan Sri Annuar Musa was absent.

Subahan, 52, said he is happy to be back after three years and that he will work diligently to meet the expectations of Tunku Ismail.

“Tunku Ismail is a hands on president and he demands all elected members to cope with his pace and momentum in bringing changes. I think it will be tough for some at the beginning but eventually, all will work hard,” said Subahan after the congress-cum-election in Petaling Jaya.

“I was one the favourites in the 2014 election but I lost the deputy post. However, I continued to be active with FAS.”

Many fear that Subahan has taken on too many responsibilities as he is also the president of the Malaysian Hockey Confederation and the Selangor Hockey Association but the former state assemblyman said it was not a problem.

“If I couldn’t work, I wouldn’t have accepted my nomination to contest for the deputy post today. I will let you gauge my work and see whether I can do my job responsibly,” he said.

Subahan said the issue with most teams in the M-League is funds.

“Tunku Ismail will screen all issues faced by affiliates and from there, look into ways to get things right. If we have the right formula then all teams will be able to conduct their jobs better.”

Malacca United Soccer Association deputy president Yusoff said the election results showed that affiliates wanted to see total change in the local game.

Except for Yusoff and Datuk S. Sivasundaram, who were executive members in the previous committee, the others are new faces. Sivasundaram was elected as one of the four vice presidents yesterday.

“The delegates chose new people as they want chances. We need to adapt with Tunku Ismail… he is young and wants to bring drastic changes. Those who used to warm seats in the past are not here anymore.

“Those voted in today are hard workers and we will do our best to serve the game,” said Yusoff.

Afandi said he accepted the defeat and that he would continue to serve as the Kafa acting president.

“I think those elected have their strengths. I accept the result and will give full support when required,” said Afandi.