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New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
AirAsia founder eyes Malaysian football runway [WATCH]
KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Tony Fernandes may have stepped away from football years ago, but he is ready to make a comeback. And the AirAsia founder is eyeing the FA of Malaysia (FAM) runway — meaning he hopes to help local football. Fernandes, a former co-owner of English club, Queens Park Rangers, returned to the spotlight as Team Harimau manager at the Zurich Liga 7x7 tournament at Kuala Lumpur FA Stadium on Saturday. At 60, Fernandes' passion for football is evidently still running strong. "It was amazing (Zurich Liga). Everyone who came, enjoyed themselves. It was impressive that people took it seriously — protested, got upset they didn't win. That's passion," said Fernandes, who fielded a squad of mostly ex-internationals. He said watching Malaysia beat Vietnam in an Asian Cup qualifier last month, has reignited his long-held goal to contribute more meaningfully to Malaysian football. "I love football. I'm 60 and I still go out there and kick a ball. If they (FAM) want me, I would love to help," he said. "I've never been offered any positions in FAM or anywhere, right? Maybe I'm too controversial or speak my mind too much. But I'm 100 per cent (if there is an offer to join FAM), I want to see us back at our best." Fernandes, who also ran a football team, PJ Rangers from 2014-2018, said: "When competing with the J-League, K-League and Saudi League, you need proper pitches, sports science, analytics, and the full package. That's what we're missing." Fernandes believes that new formats, such as seven-a-side football, will be of much interest to younger audiences, much like Twenty20 in cricket, while boosting participation at the grassroots level. Fernandes now wants to revive two things close to his heart – sports and social impact. "I want to build a low-cost school and hospital. But if there's one more project that I could do with all my heart, it's bringing Malaysian football back to life." Previous Next
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
AirAsia founder eyes Malaysian football runway
KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Tony Fernandes may have stepped away from football years ago, but he is ready to make a comeback. And the AirAsia founder is eyeing the FA of Malaysia (FAM) runway — meaning he hopes to help local football. Fernandes, a former co-owner of English club, Queens Park Rangers, returned to the spotlight as Team Harimau manager at the Zurich Liga 7x7 tournament at Kuala Lumpur FA Stadium on Saturday. View this post on Instagram At 60, Fernandes' passion for football is evidently still running strong. "It was amazing (Zurich Liga). Everyone who came, enjoyed themselves. It was impressive that people took it seriously — protested, got upset they didn't win. That's passion," said Fernandes, who fielded a squad of mostly ex-internationals. He said watching Malaysia beat Vietnam in an Asian Cup qualifier last month, has reignited his long-held goal to contribute more meaningfully to Malaysian football. "I love football. I'm 60 and I still go out there and kick a ball. If they (FAM) want me, I would love to help," he said. "I've never been offered any positions in FAM or anywhere, right? Maybe I'm too controversial or speak my mind too much. But I'm 100 per cent (if there is an offer to join FAM), I want to see us back at our best." Fernandes, who also ran a football team, PJ Rangers from 2014-2018, said: "When competing with the J-League, K-League and Saudi League, you need proper pitches, sports science, analytics, and the full package. That's what we're missing." Fernandes believes that new formats, such as seven-a-side football, will be of much interest to younger audiences, much like Twenty20 in cricket, while boosting participation at the grassroots level. Fernandes now wants to revive two things close to his heart – sports and social impact. "I want to build a low-cost school and hospital. But if there's one more project that I could do with all my heart, it's bringing Malaysian football back to life."
New Straits Times
16-07-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Harimau Malaya pull out of CAFA Cup over player release, travel chaos
KUALA LUMPUR: After weeks of hype, Harimau Malaya's debut at the CAFA Nations Cup has been called off, with the national team pulling out due to logistical hurdles and player availability issues. World No. 125 Malaysia were drawn in Group B alongside Asian giants Iran (No. 18), Tajikistan (No. 104) and Afghanistan (No. 161). The matches were scheduled to take place in Tajikistan from Aug 29-Sept 8. But with the tournament set just outside the official FIFA international window (Sept 1-9), the national team struggled to secure key players, particularly those based overseas in Spain, Argentina and Colombia. Clubs are not obliged to release players outside the window. "With the matches being played in Tajikistan, logistical operations become very difficult," said national coach Peter Cklamovski on Wednesday. "It's a difficult scenario for our players to get there and be ready to go. I'll never want to compromise the players. I want us at full strength." Malaysia had planned to use the tournament as part of their long-term development strategy, and Cklamovski admitted he had lofty ambitions. "I wanted to go into this tournament to win it," he said. "But once the fixtures were released a few days ago, it became clear that it would be tough. We have to respect the clubs." Besides player availability, the tight schedule and travel logistics posed major challenges, especially with FIFA's newly enforced 72-hour recovery rule between games. Long-haul flights, rising costs and preparation issues only compounded the problem. "We've got players in Spain, Colombia, Argentina. It's difficult to get them there," said Cklamovski. "Then there's the impact on the budget — all that effort to arrive under-strength. It just doesn't make sense." He insists the decision to withdraw was the right one. "It's a smart call. What's more important now is to use the September window wisely and focus on October and November, especially with big matches coming up against Laos and Nepal (in the Asian Cup qualifiers)." While the withdrawal may come as a disappointment for fans eager to see Harimau Malaya tested, the FA of Malaysia (FAM) and Cklamovski believe it is a necessary step in the push for long-term progress.
New Straits Times
14-07-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Settling footballers' unpaid salaries with 'duit kutu'?
KUALA LUMPUR: It's insulting and humiliating. That is how current and former players of Kelantan Darul Naim (KDN) described the attempt by the team management to settle months of salaries owing to them. KDN midfielder Jasmir Mehat voiced his frustration over the club's offer, which includes a 50 per cent cut from the three months of unpaid salary, monthly instalments of RM200 until the debt is settled, and match-based payments of RM500-RM1,000 for only five matches between Feb and April. "We're not asking for anything extra. We want what we've earned, but being told we'll be paid RM200 a month feels like we're not being taken seriously," said Jasmir. "At that rate, some of us would have to wait nearly a decade to be paid in full. It doesn't feel fair or respectful to professionals who gave their commitment to the team." Jasmir added that the players were open to discussions, but the solutions offered so far showed a lack of genuine intention to resolve the matter quickly or reasonably, and equated it to paying with "duit kutu". Meanwhile, former KDN head coach Rezal Zambery Yahya said that nearly 20 former players and staff have rejected the club's proposed terms and given KDN until tomorrow to respond before raising the matter with the FA of Malaysia. "We're not water filter salesmen who can be paid RM200 a month until the debt is cleared," said Rezal. "Paying per match doesn't make sense either because there's no such clause in our contracts. Despite that, we've offered them more practical solutions. It's up to them now to be reasonable."
New Straits Times
10-07-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Football visionary Hamidin is Sportswriters' top leadership pick
KUALA LUMPUR: Former FA of Malaysia (FAM) president Tan Sri Hamidin Amin has been named the 2024 Sportswriters Association of Malaysia (SAM)-100PLUS Sports Leadership Icon, in recognition of his contributions to Malaysian football — from grassroots development to the national team's resurgence on the international stage. Over the past three decades, the 60-year-old has played a pivotal role in shaping the country's football landscape at both state and national levels. Hamidin began his football carrer in 1995 as executive secretary of the FA of Selangor (FAS), before serving as its secretary-general from 1998-2013. During his tenure, Selangor lifted 18 trophies, including five Malaysia Cup titles, cementing their dominance in local football. His success in Selangor led to national duties. He became FAM secretary-general in 2013 and was elected president in 2018. Since then, Hamidin has introduced structural reforms aimed at improving governance and player development. A standout achievement under his leadership was Malaysia's qualification for the 2023 Asian Cup on merit — their first in 43 years — marking a significant milestone in Harimau Malaya's revival. Central to that success was FAM's push for naturalisation and heritage-based recruitment, moves that strengthened the squad and improved competitiveness. Beyond football, Hamidin also served as deputy president of the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM). "Hamidin is not just an expert in football management. He embodies a rare kind of leadership that inspires," said SAM deputy president Izahar Atan. "His commitment, clear vision and courage to make big decisions are why he was chosen as this year's Sports Leadership Icon." Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh is expected to attend the SAM-100PLUS Awards ceremony in Petaling Jaya on Monday.
