FAS chief laments lack of fund for state’s teams
To the critics who want me to step down because Sarawak are not doing well in the Super League, I am ready to resign if you can come up with the money every month to support FAS.
KUCHING: Football Association of Sarawak (FAS) president Dato Posa Majais is willing to step down from the hot seat provided his successor is willing to come up with more than one million ringgit every month to keep the association and the state’s football teams running.
“To the critics who want me to step down because Sarawak are not doing well in the Super League, I am ready to resign if you can come up with the money every month to support FAS.
“Please give me more time. I have been the president for only a few months and I am ready to take the responsibility if the Crocs are relegated to the Premier League,” he added.
According to the FAS head, it is very costly to run FAS and the three football teams for the Super League, President’s Cup and Youth
Dato Posa Majais, Football Association of Sarawak president
Cup.
“It will take almost RM1million per month to pay for the salaries ( more than RM700,000) of the players, coaches and officials of the three teams as well as their traveling costs.
“We also have to take care of the development of football and provide subsidies to the divisional affiliates.
“If you are not willing or ready to come forward and top up the balance from your own pocket like what I am doing every month, then don’t ask me to resign,” he said, adding that he has never made any claims to FAS.
Although FAS have the annual sports grant from the State government and sponsorships from Rimbunan Hijau, Sacofa, Sarawak Energy, these sponsorships amounting to less than RM10 million are simply not enough to get things going.
“These are only enough to last six or seven months. With limited resources, we are unable to hire the best import players,” he pointed out. Posa said Sarawak had the smallest budget in the country compared to other states who have RM20 million or RM30 million annual budgets.
“I hope the Sarawak fans and supporters and those who have criticised me and asked me to resign will understand the situation that FAS is facing.
“I also hope that they will not just praise the teams when they win and slam the teams when they lose or perform badly. After all, they are our own teams and we should support them no matter what,” he said.