Latest news with #SouthernTigers'
New Straits Times
11-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
TMJ: It's not about the speed, this is not a sprint — it's a journey
KUALA LUMPUR: Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) owner Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sultan Ibrahim believes that the Southern Tigers' extraordinary success over the past decade has come from self-discipline, motivation, and gratitude — but above all, from embracing the journey rather than rushing to the destination. In a recent conversation with New Zealand rugby great Sonny Bill Williams released on Instagram today, Tunku Mahkota Ismail reflected on JDT's meteoric rise from domestic hopefuls to a Southeast Asian powerhouse. "It's not about the speed, this is not a sprint, it's a journey. "When it comes to sports, when it comes to growth in every single factor, it's all about progress," said the Crown Prince of Johor. Since Tunku Mahkota Ismail took over the club in 2013, JDT have won an astounding 30 titles in just 12 years, 29 of which are domestic trophies, including 11 straight Super League titles, while their international achievement came in 2015 when they became the first Malaysian club to win the AFC Cup. Asked by Williams what it took to engineer such dominance, Tunku Mahkota Ismail credited three things: "First, obviously, self-discipline. Second, motivation. And then third, being grateful." He added that while not every goal is achieved exactly as planned, the key lies in appreciating any progress made. "If you have a target and we don't reach 100 per cent of what we want… to me, 50 per cent of something is better than 100 per cent of nothing," he said. But even with all the silverware, Tunku Mahkota Ismail's focus remains grounded. "Always enjoy the journey," he told Williams, reiterating a philosophy that has not only shaped JDT's success, but continues to inspire their evolution as he shared about family, his faith and beliefs.
Free Malaysia Today
06-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Only those who are capable should run football clubs, says Hannah
Youth and sports minister Hannah Yeoh said JDT is a model professional club, and that other teams should aim to match the Southern Tigers' standards. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Only those with real financial and managerial capabilities should be entrusted with running football clubs, says youth and sports minister Hannah Yeoh. Yeoh said poor management, including unpaid salaries and the neglect of players' welfare, deterred potential sponsors that could boost football development. 'Football has a large audience, which is why I believe that to convince sponsors, all they want to see is how a club is run, how they pay salaries or look after the welfare of players,' Bernama quoted her as saying at an event last night. 'Those who are not capable should not 'touch' it, let others take over. Sometimes, some cannot manage but still want to hold on to power, preventing others from stepping in.' Yeoh's remarks come amid a worsening financial crisis in local football, with Perak FC recently announcing that it was dissolving its team and pulling out of the Super League after spending RM40 million in three years. Several other teams are reportedly contemplating similar action. On a separate note, Yeoh dismissed criticism of Johor Darul Ta'zim's (JDT) dominance, calling the club a model of professionalism that others should strive to emulate rather than complain about or boycott. 'To me, JDT are raising the standards of football, a club in Malaysia, and that's a good thing,' she said. '(Other teams should) find a way to become great competitors to JDT. That should be their goal, rather than saying, 'because I can never be as good as JDT, I don't want to play'. That's not sportsmanship.'
