DBasia.news – Minister of Youth and Sports, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman wants the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) to ensure that each state football team and club release the so-called player representing the country for the Asian Games 2018 match which will open its window next month.
Syed Saddiq said FAM as the nation’s main body of football should take a firm stand on the matter as issues related to the release of the players are often a nuisance to the national head coach in preparing the team for any tournament.
“I understand the issue is an old issue that is repeated every time FAM is selected for the major championship, not just for soccer tournaments but also for tournaments such as SEA Games and Asian Games.
“I think that if FAM chooses to join any major tournament, FAM should take a firm stand on such matters.
“What’s more, the state soccer association is a member of FAM’s own coalition,” he said in a statement today.
He said that any FAM decision at the central level was also a state-level decision as a member and should be respected.
If this understanding does not occur, it is better that FAM early on do not volunteer for the tournaments.
“Hence, FAM must solve their own internal issues and do not involve the national interest in this crisis and if FAM is unable to solve this, I will not hesitate to call a meeting with all parties to find the best solution,” he said.
In fact, Syed Saddiq also reminded state associations that KBS and the Ministry of Education Malaysia (KPM) have made a big investment in shaping these players.
“For me, every state player or club chosen to join the national squad should see it as an honor because besides being selected to bring Malaysia to the international stage, it also indirectly increases the value of the player itself,” he said.
Yesterday, national Under-23 squad (B-23) national head coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee gave a shadow to the national squad to withdraw from the Asian Games 2018 following the difficulty of collecting players.
According to Kim Swee, some teams still insist on relinquishing their players despite the list of 24 players being released last Wednesday on the grounds of the Asian Games 2018 (14 August to 1 September) clash with the Malaysia Cup schedule.