Alijus resigns as SAFA president
KOTA KINABALU: Alijus Sipil said he need not have to wait until the end of his term to resign if he failed or could not give his full commitment to Sabah Football Association (SAFA).
He said this when asked to comment on his sudden resignation as president SAFA which was entrusted to him only recently by delegates at the SAFA Annual Congress in August.
Alijus is said to have submitted his resignation earlier this week.
He said the main reason for his resignation was to focus fully on his responsibility as Tawau Municipal Council president.
"I take this opportunity to thank the SAFA Affiliates for their mandate at the SAFA Congress recently.
"I declared during my speech at the time that I am prepared to resign at any time without waiting for my term to end. I can resign any time if I am unable to commit myself fully to SAFA," he said when contacted here yesterday.
The SAFA Congress in August saw Alijus win the 2018-2022 president's post in a straight contest with Datuk Yusoff Kassin. Alijus won 39 votes against Yusoff's 13 votes.
Earlier, deputy president I, Hamid Apdal also resigned after only a few days of winning his post.
The reason for the sudden resignations have yet to be ascertained but these latest development is said to be the worsening financial problems in the association.
The resignations of Alijus and Hamid leave deputy president II Datuk Rahman Zakaria as the highest rank SAFA official.
Alijus said the SAFA administration could still continue with the remaining members of the Supreme Council as they are all experienced in managing the association.
"The remaining lineup can still implement and continue to administer SAFA as they are experienced in running the association including Datuk Rahman Zakaria," he said.