SYED SADDIQ SLAMS FAM OVER PLAYER RELEASE ISSUE FOR ASIAD

PETALING JAYA: Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has lambasted the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) over the problem faced by the national Under23 team ahead of the Indonesia Asian Games next month.

National Under-23 coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee rued the possibility of Malaysia withdrawing from the Asiad if he can’t assemble a minimum 18-player squad on Saturday.

It is learnt that several M-League sides are reluctant to release their players as the Asian Games football competition from Aug 14-Sept 1 coincides with the Malaysia Cup competition which kicks off in August.

Syed Saddiq in a statement yesterday said he wanted the national body to arrest the problem.

“This is an old issue which is repeated every time the FAM select players for major competitions and multi-sport events like the SEA Games and the Asian Games.

“FAM need to take a strong stand on this matter if they choose to participate in any major competitions. The state affiliates are FAM members, all FAM decisions should cascade down the state level and these decisions must be respected,” he said.

“If this understanding is not adhered to, then, the FAM should know it early and don’t offer to participate in any major tournaments.

“For me, any state or club players who are selected for the national team should see it as an honour to carry Malaysia’s name at the international stage.

“Their participation will increase the value of the players. In the end, it will benefit the state he represents when it comes to the players’ “transfer value” as how it is in the west.

“FAM need to solve this internal issue. The national interest comes first, all athletes have a responsibility to the country and this can’t be explained and stressed enough,” added Syed Saddiq.

“I also want to remind the state football teams that Malaysians, especially parents, the government through the Education Ministry and the Youth and Sports Ministry have made huge investments to mould the players to become good and represent the states.

“Therefore, these players have the responsibility to repay the faith of those who moulded them. If FAM are unable to settle this problem and if it’s needed, I’ll meet the involved parties to get the best outcome.”

Meanwhile, Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) decided to show the way when owner Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim agreed to release eight of their players for the Asian Games.

Kim Swee hoped more teams would follow Tunku Ismail’s footsteps.

“The Crown Prince of Johor, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim has agreed to release eight players,” said Kim Swee in a statement.

“Tunku Ismail’s support shows that he has a high level of sportsmanship and realises the duty to the country is more important than a club, even though he is aware that his players will miss some of their preliminary Malaysia Cup matches with JDT.

“Hopefully, other teams will follow suit to cooperate in releasing their players who have been called up for the Asiad to ensure that I have a complete squad to head Malaysia’s charges in Indonesia next month.”