Talks of a chief executive officer (CEO) being in charge of the Malaysian football team have got tongues wagging.
A Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) official, who declined to be named, confirmed ongoing discussions to create a separate entity to manage the men’s and women’s football teams. The official, however, insisted there were “still plenty of details to work out”.
“We should know more in the next month or so,” the official added.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, on Sept 2, announced that the government would allocate RM15 million to Harimau Malaya. He said during the Finance Ministry’s assembly that RM10 million would come from the ministry’s coffers, while the remaining RM5 million would come from the private sector.
Anwar’s announcement raised eyebrows, as it was made while fans boycotted the Pestabola Merdeka tournament that ended over the weekend. The boycott was due to their displeasure with FAM.
The Pestabola Merdeka, a far cry from the prestige it once held, featured four teams, including Malaysia. The host team edged Lebanon 1-0 in the final to win the trophy at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur.
There has been a debate since, as to whether this new plan would help elevate the standards of football in the country. Malaysia is at No. 134 in the Fifa world rankings, has never featured in the World Cup, and last qualified for the Olympics in 1980.
Datuk Seri Windsor John, the Asian Football Confederation general secretary, said having a CEO run the national team was something Australia and Thailand had done.
“Other countries have something similar, but not all are called CEOs,” Windsor said.
Having a separate body run a national team is not new for Malaysia.
In 1992, there was Chow Kwai Lam’s ‘Barcelona Babes’. Five years later, there was Tan Sri Elyas Omar’s Fifa World Youth Championship squad. The youth competition is now known as the Fifa Under-20 World Cup. Both squads were run independently, with separate accounts and management teams, but ultimately, under the auspices of FAM.
“I have not seen FAM’s latest proposal, but it wouldn’t be something new for Malaysia,” said Windsor.
“I was involved with Tan Sri Elyas’ 1997 project as an administrator, so I know it can work. But people must realise, being in charge of the national team doesn’t take anything away from a football association, as ultimately, the president and the general secretary are the ones who will liaise with their foreign counterparts.”
What happened to the Barcelona Babes and 1997 Project Squad?
Chow, who successfully led Kuala Lumpur to Malaysia Cup glory in 1987, 1988, and 1989, was appointed coach of the national Under-23 team. He was tasked with guiding the team to qualify for the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Despite intense preparation and some good results, the team ultimately failed in its quest.
Meanwhile, Malaysia hosted the 1997 Fifa World Youth Championship. The national team was placed in Group A, together with Uruguay, Morocco, and Belgium. The occasion got to the players, and the team lost 3-1 to both Morocco and Uruguay, and 3-0 to Belgium, en route to being kicked out of the meet.
So, what does the CEO do?
If FAM appoints a CEO for the national teams, the person most likely would be responsible for the administration and strategic direction of the national teams. It remains unclear if the junior teams would also be included in this move.
The responsibilities would presumably include the day-to-day operations, managing the finances and budget, planning of the national teams, securing funds and sponsorships, developing short- and long-term plans, and engaging with the various stakeholders – namely the clubs, players, coaches, and referees.
Does that make the CEO more powerful than FAM?
The short answer is no. Ultimately, the CEO would be answerable to FAM’s executive council.
The CEO can plan and make arrangements, but only FAM’s general secretary can correspond with their counterparts from other countries to arrange friendlies.
“The CEO or president’s job is to run the national teams more professionally, increase revenue, and get sponsors on board,” explained Windsor.
“However, the management team will still be answerable to those in FAM.”
Why should sponsors go to FAM?
FAM no longer runs the professional domestic leagues, as they now come under the Malaysian Football League. And if the national body relinquishes control of the national teams, what would be FAM’s selling point?
The Badminton Association of Malaysia, for example, organises leagues, and many of the senior and junior players remain within its stable. Even if the senior athletes decide to play independently, BAM can still rely on the young shuttlers, local leagues, and the very many appearances of its players in the numerous tournaments around the world.
The same cannot be said for football in its present form. This will surely be a topic of conversation for the FAM officials at Wisma FAM in the weeks to come.
