Now Sarawak appoint a ‘lady boss’ in bid to turn around their fortunes

PETALING JAYA: Move aside, guys.

The Football Association of Sarawak (FAS) have become the second association after Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT to appoint a “lady boss”.

FAS unveiled their new advisor – Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib-Alsree (pic), the daughter of Sarawak Governor Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud – after their exco meeting in Kuching on Friday.

This comes in the wake of JDT appointing Tunku Tun Aminah Sultan Ibrahim, the sister of Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, as their new president two months ago.

Hanifah admitted that she accepted the appointment out of “my love for Sarawak”.

She also pledged to do everything she could to help in the development of the game at every level – youth, senior and women’s football.

FAS vice-president Razali Dolhan was delighted with Hanifah’s appointment.

“We in the FAS welcome Datuk Hanifah Hajar’s appointment to boost the game to greater heights. There is plenty of work to be done and we believe this is the beginning of better days for Sarawak football,” said Razali, who is also the acting general secretary.

Razali also said that FAS would throw their support behind Tunku Ismail to head the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM).

“I believe that Tunku Ismail is the right man to lead the national body ... there is nobody else more qualified for the job,” said Razali.

The FAS will hold their annual general meeting in January to pick a new president following Datuk Sudarsono Osman’s decision to step down.

So far, the Selangor FA, Malacca FA and the Football Coaches Association of Malaysia (FCAM) have also openly backed Tunku Ismail for FAM’s top post.