Safa in good hands
KOTA KINABALU: The question of who will lead Sabah Football Association (Safa) has been finally answered.
Datuk Peter Anthony, as expected, has been officially appointed as the acting president of the state football governing body.
The decision was reached at the Extraordinary Congress which was attended by representatives from 23 out of 26 Safa district affiliates here yesterday.
It was also announced that Andrew Majanggim will be the secretary general and Yap Wai Loon as treasurer while Jelius Ating was retained as the Rhinos head coach and Henry Saimpon was named as the new team manager of the state senior football squad.
Peter, in his first address as the acting president, called for combined efforts to ensure the association is run systematically and properly to enable Sabah football return to its glory days.
“First of all I want to thank all the district affiliates. It would not be possible to make changes if there was less than two-thirds of attendance today (yesterday).
“As I said before this, we are not here to get rid of the existing officials but to fill in the important positions.
“I plead that we put aside differences that may exist among us for the sake of Sabah football.
“It is not an easy task to lead Safa. In fact, it is a very tall order for me to be at the helm. That is why I want all to work alongside me under the new management for the betterment of Safa as well as Sabah football,” he said.
Also present yesterday were Safa deputy president I Hamid Apdal and deputy president II Datuk Rahman Zakaria.
Peter also announced the 16 players to be registered with the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) for the Malaysian League 2019 campaign.
The footballers as recommended by Jelius are Rawilson Batuil, Randy Baruh, Jenius Karib, Dendy Lowa, Mohd Azzizan Nordin, Maxsius Musa, Ummareng Bacok, Justin Samaan, Ricco Nigel Milus, Sabri Sahar, Mohd Azwan Fattah, Rahman Shah Marajeh, Mazlan Yahya, Rozaimie Rohim, Robson Rendy Rining and Mohd Sakri Masri.
“We are looking at 28 to 30 players for the team but we will have the first list of 16 players for registration which must be submitted tomorrow (today).
“This is to confirm that we will be taking part in the Premier League next season. There is still time to find suitable players, either local or import, for the remaining slots,” he said.
Peter, who is also the KDM Malaysia president, went to express his hope that the Rhinos would be able to gain promotion next season.
“It’s been too long that we are playing in the division two (Premier League). I hope 2019 will be the last year we will be playing in the lower league.
“It is one area that we will hope to take care of next year,” assured Peter.
Meanwhile, after the congress yesterday the 2018 senior team footballers were also paid of their salaries which have been four months in arrears.