KUCHING: Minister of Culture, Arts, Youth and Sports, Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, wants the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) to be “open” and “understanding” if it wants Sarawak to remain in the Malaysian Football League.
Speaking exclusively to the New Sarawak Tribune, he revealed that presently the country’s main football body (FAM) is acting unfairly.
“Sarawak spends about RM12 million a year on its team with most of the money spent on flights and bus journeys including two-day stays in the states where matches are played.
“This happens every week for our senior team, Presidential Cup team, and Youth Cup or futsal teams,” he said.
In fact, 80 percent of our budget is for that purpose making it difficult for Sarawak Football Association (FAS) to create a strong team.
“It’s not fair for teams from Sabah and Sarawak as it has caused the teams to be unable to afford good players. If the association’s finance is not well-managed it will be in deficit.
“Hence, I suggest that FAM be considerate by providing subsidies 10 times more than for other teams. This would be fair and unbiased. In fact it would reflect the Malaysian spirit.
“Unhappy teams in Malaya must accept the fact that they fly to Sabah and Sarawak only twice a year while the rest of the time they used buses without having to stay in hotels. The opposite situation applies to both Sabah and Sarawak teams,” he explained.
Commenting on the Sarawak team’s position this season, Karim is optimistic that they could improve their capabilities and performances.
“Before this, my ministry allocated for the team RM3.5 million which the Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has agreed to increase,” he said.
Sarawak now has a new line-up headed by local head coach, Pengiran Bala, with Hamzah Brahim as manager and Awang Mahyan Pengiran Mohamed as assistant manager.
In addition to boosting the country’s number one sport, the other goal of the Malaysia Football League is to strengthen integration among states in Malaysia.
