Peter launches Sabah Tambadau Fan Club
KOTA KINABALU: The State football senior squad stand to receive an additional wave of support from the newly established Sabah Tambadau Fan Club.
The club, which is chaired by Dr Liawas Barukang, was introduced and launched by Sabah Football Association (SAFA) acting president Datuk Peter Anthony at the Likas Stadium, Tuesday.
“It took some time for this fan club to get rolling because there was a lot of bustle preparing for the Malaysia League. But thanks to all for their cooperation and commitment we are now on the right track.
“For any team, their fans are most important...often regarded as the twelfth player. The Sabah Tambadau Fan Club will play this role for us. Their presence will add a boost to the players so that they may face the season’s challenges with greater confidence,” Peter said.
He welcomed the efforts of the fan club which currently has more than 800 registered members.
Peter said the fan club members would receive seasonal T-Shirts that are limited in number, hence availability would be made only to those who register early.
A suggestion that members be brought to support the team to away matches (all costs paid by the association), Peter said it would be considered.
Towards this end, he felt that the fan club is the perfect platform to promote unity among the people.
He said, at the same time, it also yields support for the State team to grow stronger in their game.
“I expect more people to join the fan club soon especially with the team currently on the right track,” Peter said, while urging football fans to turn up in numbers to support Sabah in the Premier League match against Police at the Likas Stadium this Saturday.
On the concern that some may not be happy with the changes brought on by the current administration, Peter said it (change) would not satisfy everyone especially those who were bound by the ways of the previous management.
“However, we are very reasonable and we are open. If they want to join us in developing football in Sabah then they must accept the changes we have made because what we do in SAFA is for the good of the players, teams and State.
“We view things differently and therefore we have our own plans. Under this management, all decisions are made in the interest of the team and the sport in Sabah in general,” he said.
“We see that our position all this while has not been good. The association had huge financial problems that the teams and players were burdened by them. But under this new management, all those problems are now gone,” Peter added.
Meanwhile, Liawas said those who wished to join the Sabah Tambadau Fan Club can register online after an announcement on the club’s Facebook page soon.