Latest news with #PerakFC
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Ipoh fans celebrate Liverpool win with open-top parade
Supporters at the live screening of the club's trophy lifting ceremony at a restaurant in Ipoh. ABOUT 100 supporters of Liverpool Football Club attended a private gathering in Ipoh, Perak, to celebrate the Merseysiders' 20th English Premier League title win. The event was organised by the club supporters' group Ipoh Kop End at the Five Thousand Years Restaurant during the live screening of the trophy lifting ceremony. Event organiser Peter Ho said those who attended watched the match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace before the title celebration. 'We also had a correct score competition and lucky draw. 'Some members won jerseys signed by former Liverpool player Luis Garcia, official merchandise and other prizes. 'We also sang songs on stage during the trophy lifting ceremony,' he said when contacted. Ho said as a supporter of Liverpool for over 33 years, the title triumph meant that the club was now the apex English football club. 'I believe it's just the beginning and there'll be more to come. 'We are planning to hold another gathering for the first match of next season at the restaurant in August, so I hope that more can join in,' he added. The open-top bus with supporters driving through Ipoh to celebrate Liverpool's 20th English Premier League title win. Veteran coach and lifelong supporter of Liverpool Datuk M. Karathu, who was the event's guest of honour, said he was happy to see so many fans gathered there. 'I am thankful to the organiser for bringing together so many supporters for this celebration,' he said. Karathu, who has also coached the Perak football team, however could not hide his disappointment about what was happening to Perak FC. 'It pains me to think that fans in the state will not have a team to support in the Malaysian Super League next season,' he added. Perak FC had said that it would officially stop all its operations due to financial issues. XOX Pro Sport Sdn Bhd, the club's owners, announced that it would withdraw from the league and were hoping to sell the club. Earlier, about 40 members of the Liverpool supporters' group also took part in an open-top bus parade through the city centre. The bus set off from Ipoh Padang and made its way to Jalan Sultan Idris Shah, Ipoh Railway Station, Ipoh Old Town and Birch Memorial Clock Tower, before returning to Ipoh Padang. Parade co-organiser Edwin Seibel Nathan said participants had a wonderful time on board. 'It rained earlier, but it stopped as we boarded the bus, so the cool weather made it even more enjoyable,' he said. 'There were people waving as we passed by and cars honking as well. 'Some who couldn't join in the parade came to the field to send us off and welcome us back.' He said many participants took pictures with a replica trophy that he brought along. 'Many said they want to do this again if Liverpool wins another trophy,' he added.
New Straits Times
26-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Perak kicks off football revival from the ground up
BATU GAJAH: Perak will prioritise grassroots football development in a bid to revive the sport's former glory in the state. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said this approach was being adopted as attempts to turn football into a commercial venture had not delivered the desired outcomes, unlike in some other countries. He said that although football team privatisation had been pursued in the hope that private sector investment would drive profit-oriented growth, it had proven unsustainable. "In Malaysia, including in Perak, we have been unable to replicate the model seen in countries like the United Kingdom, where football functions not only as a sport but as a major business," he said. "We had hoped that private companies, such as XOX, would fund Perak FC, but in the end, they could not sustain the commitment. This isn't unique to Perak — most states face similar challenges, with the exception of Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT)," he added. Saarani was speaking at a press conference after attending the Meet the Customer Day event at Dewan Bandaran Kinta here today. It was recently reported that Perak FC had suspended all operations with immediate effect due to financial difficulties. In a statement, the club's management confirmed that foreign players had been released and remaining funds used to pay staff and local players. Saarani said the state would now return to the traditional football development model beginning at school level. Discussions have already been held with Perak Football Association (PAFA) president Datuk Mohd Azhar Jamaluddin. "In the past, we identified talent through school competitions via the Perak School Sports Council (MSSPk), starting from district level up to the state level. That was how we unearthed promising players," he said. "If we want Perak football to thrive again, we need to rebuild from that foundation." He also attributed the lack of new talent to the limited opportunities available to local players in the Super League, which increasingly favours foreign players. "At the moment, only JDT are managing to stay competitive. States such as Kedah, Perlis, Pahang, and even Perak are struggling. "With the Super League allowing foreign players, local talent is being sidelined. Yet the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) still relies on Malaysian players for the national team. Without grassroots development, where will those players come from?" he said. Saarani affirmed that the state would continue supporting football development through participation in tournaments such as the Malaysia Games (Sukma) and other state-level championships.
The Star
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Football business not feasible in Malaysia, says Perak MB
BATU GAJAH: Football as a business is not feasible in Malaysia, says Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad. The Perak Mentri Besar said many teams are struggling financially and more will likely end up like Perak FC. "Only Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) can do it. Teams like Perak, Kedah, Perlis, Pahang and Terengganu are all struggling," he said. He said this during a press conference after attending the Meet the Customer Day at Dewan Bandaran Kinta on Monday (May 26). "We cannot copy what is being done in the United Kingdom because it is not just a sport there but a business," he said. "In Malaysia, we just cannot do it. Like Perak, the team was privatised with hopes that XOX Bhd could develop the sport based on business but it's just not doable," added Saarani. Saarani was asked to comment on Perak FC's recent decision to officially stop all operations due to financial strains.
Malay Mail
26-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
‘No more funds left': Perak FC pulls out of Malaysian football, cites RM40m burnout
IPOH, May 26 — Perak FC has suspended all operations with immediate effect due to financial issues facing the team. Perak FC management, in a statement last night, announced that it has sent back imported players and paid what it can to the staff and players of the Bos Gaurus squad with the remaining funds. 'All staff and players have been informed that Perak FC will not participate in any league or competition in the coming season. 'The players and coaches are now free to seek opportunities at other football clubs,' according to the statement uploaded on its Facebook page. The team management announced that Perak FC has started its journey by clearing the RM8 million debt left by the previous management and allocating RM10 million annually to manage the club's operations. 'Every cent invested was used only for operating costs and salaries of all four teams, coaches and administrative staff last season. 'After three years or two and a half seasons, with investments exceeding RM40 million, we are very sad to announce that there are no more funds left to allocate,' according to a statement from the team's management. The team's management also informed that they are still managing the team's training equipment and remaining merchandise for sale and are waiting for funds from the Malaysian Football League (MFL) to settle outstanding obligations as best as possible. 'To the players and staff, thank you for your service and dedication throughout your time with Perak FC. 'This is not the end we had hoped for but we have to stand on solid ground and accept the fact that the lack of funds has limited everything, and the time has come for the club to close,' the statement said. On May 22, the media reported that Kedah Darul Aman FC (KDA FC) and Perak FC would not be competing in the Super League next season after failing to obtain a national license from the Malaysian Football League (MFL). Earlier on April 26, Perak FC chairman Datuk Seri Azim Zabidi confirmed that the Bos Gaurus had to withdraw from the Super League next season due to financial issues. — Bernama
New Straits Times
25-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Perak FC suspends all operations amid financial crisis
IPOH: Perak FC has suspended all operations with immediate effect due to financial issues facing the team. Perak FC management, in a statement tonight, announced that it has sent back imported players and paid what it can to the staff and players of the Bos Gaurus squad with the remaining funds. "All staff and players have been informed that Perak FC will not participate in any league or competition in the coming season. "The players and coaches are now free to seek opportunities at other football clubs," according to the statement uploaded on its Facebook page. The team management announced that Perak FC has started its journey by clearing the RM8 million debt left by the previous management and allocating RM10 million annually to manage the club's operations. "Every cent invested was used only for operating costs and salaries of all four teams, coaches and administrative staff last season. "After three years or two and a half seasons, with investments exceeding RM40 million, we are very sad to announce that there are no more funds left to allocate," according to a statement from the team's management. The team's management also informed that they are still managing the team's training equipment and remaining merchandise for sale and are waiting for funds from the Malaysian Football League (MFL) to settle outstanding obligations as best as possible. "To the players and staff, thank you for your service and dedication throughout your time with Perak FC. "This is not the end we had hoped for but we have to stand on solid ground and accept the fact that the lack of funds has limited everything, and the time has come for the club to close," the statement said. On May 22, the media reported that Kedah Darul Aman FC (KDA FC) and Perak FC would not be competing in the Super League next season after failing to obtain a national license from the Malaysian Football League (MFL). Earlier on April 26, Perak FC chairman Datuk Seri Azim Zabidi confirmed that the Bos Gaurus had to withdraw from the Super League next season due to financial issues. - Bernama
