KUCHING: The big difference in the salaries of local and imported players in the country is an issue. “ Of course the local players are unhappy getting much less than their imported counterparts … about three to five times,” according to Sarawak 2019 squad advisor 68-year-old Awang Mahyan Awang Mohamad.
Speaking to reporters after watching the squad players undergoing selection at the State Stadium here recently he said the local players are as good as the imported ones. However, local players are receiving between RM5,000 and RM10,000 a month while the imports are being paid between RM20,000 and RM30,000 per month. He added that while local players playing at the national level can take home around RM50,000, Class A foreign imports playing at national level are able to earn between RM80,000 and RM100,000 monthly.
“Some can even earn between RM150,000 and RM200,000.” Sarawak Football Association (FAS) is looking for ways and means to narrow the disparity, according to Awang Mahyan who put Sarawak on the nation’s football map in his heydays. Awang Mahyan returned to Sarawak football last year after a 28-year hiatus. Meanwhile, Sarawak 2019 squad head coach Pengiran Bala, 56, said he is now scouting for strikers who are good in creating opportunities upfront and also strong in defence. According to Pengiran Bala, the “attacking and defending” features are what he will be concentrating on as a criteria in selecting the final team for the state.
A total of 42 players from all over Sarawak participated in the first day selection session which was monitored by Pengiran Bala and his assistant Safri Amit and Awang Mahyan. Overall, around 80 players are taking part in the six-day selection trial which started on Wednesday at the State Stadium. Pengiran Bala also pointed out that there is a need for foreign imports in the Sarawak 2019 squad.
“I acknowledge the fact that we need to have foreign imports in the state team to strengthen it … but let it be in line with the needs of the team and the capabilities of the imported players,” said Pengiran bala. Sarawak will play in the Premier League again next year after it failed to make an impact this year.
