Khairy to wait for TMJ before confirming nomination for top spot

PETALING JAYA: Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin (pic) will wait for Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) owner Tunku Mahkota of Johor (TMJ) Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim to confirm his nomination for the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) president’s post before making his decision.

Khairy, who is one of four men in the running for the post, had earlier said he would withdraw if TMJ stands for the election.

The others eyeing the post are former Kelantan Football Association (Kafa) president Tan Sri Annuar Musa and FAM Integrity Committee chairman Tan Sri Aseh Che Mat.

“I’m still waiting for him (Tunku Ismail) to officially confirm his nomination,” said Khairy.

“All the statements and pictures on social media don’t really count. He has to fill up the form. That’s the one that matters.”

Meanwhile, Khairy flagged off the Malaysian contingent that will head to Sapporo, Japan, to compete in the Asian Winter Games from Feb 19-26.

A total of 35 athletes will compete in four events – ice hockey, figure skating, short track speed skating and alpine skiing.

Ice hockey, figure skating and short track speed skating are also gold medal events for the KL SEA Games in August.

“These three events are under the Kita Juara programme and it’s also part of the preparation for the SEA Games in which we are targeting gold medals,” said Khairy.

“Even though we are a tropical country and there are no medal targets for the Asian Winter Games, I want these athletes to go to Sapporo and perform their best. It is not a holiday for them.”