In 2012, Tan Sri Tony Fernandes told a group of reporters that he had always dreamt of an Asean football league. “I will put money in an Asean league,” he was quoted as saying, referring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
The aviation magnate, however, never got to see such a league kick-off. Instead, a different kind of collaboration may be struck between football representatives from two Southeast Asian nations, and that could very well start the ball rolling to create economically sustainable football clubs in the region.
On Nov 12, five individuals sat in the private room of a restaurant in Sentosa, Singapore. The key theme of their conversation was to create a ‘commercial appetite’ that would benefit football clubs in Malaysia and Indonesia. The ‘master chefs’ who fleshed out and simmered over the idea were the Regent of Johor, Tunku Ismail Ibrahim, who is also the owner of Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT); Indonesia FA chairman Erick Thohir; Valencia owner Peter Lim; Persib Bandung owner Glenn Sugita; and Kuala Lumpur City FC chief executive officer, Stanley Bernard.
The appetiser was served earlier this month when Tunku Ismail praised Erick for his exemplary leadership in improving Indonesian football, while slamming the FA of Malaysia officials for its lack of vision, commitment, and expertise in uplifting Malaysian football.
The meeting couldn’t have been more perfectly timed. The issue of football clubs facing financial woes is an annual affair in Malaysia, and it is no different this year. Despite the fact the Malaysian football league had upgraded itself to ‘professional’, it remains a far cry – in every sense of the word – from the semi-professional era.
On the brighter side, the Southern Tigers scored their second victory in the AFC Champions League Elite East Zone after defeating South Korea’s Ulsan HD 3-0 at home recently. The Indonesian national team is seeking to impress its fans, and the world, when it takes on regional giant Japan in Jakarta tomorrow (Nov 15) in the third-round Asian qualifier, en route to the 2026 World Cup. Malaysia meanwhile, is set to assume the Asean chair next year. All these make good ingredients for something fresh for football in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Southeast Asia.
Bernard, who knows both Tunku Ismail and Erick, described the meeting as “cordial”, with plenty of potential, one that would set the tone for commercial success and sustainability among clubs in the region.
“I would say the key theme was to build the ‘commercial appetite’ to help clubs in both countries,” Bernard told Twentytwo13.
“There are certain things JDT is doing right, and there are certain things we can learn from Indonesia. This is just the first meeting, and there will be more discussions, moving forward.”
Bernard, a former footballer, added that Erick has a broad vision.
“There are so many ways this can go. We could be looking at cross-club partnerships. There are things the Indonesian market and businesses can do to help clubs in Malaysia, and vice-versa.”
It is understood that there were also conversations about investment opportunities that will help clubs stand on their own two feet, and allow enterprises to penetrate new markets.
“The meeting was Tunku Ismail’s vision. Erick’s area of interest, meanwhile, is very broad. He is the Minister of State-Owned Enterprises in Indonesia, he’s a successful businessman, and he has invested in football clubs. He knows what is required. And the both of them are on the same page on many things.
“There’s this saying in Indonesia that PSSI (Indonesia FA) needs Erick, not the other way around. That shows his might and influence in turning football around, and he has proven it.”
In April, Indonesia’s men’s football team was commended by FIFA for “making good progress”. The republic is at 130 in the latest FIFA rankings, above neighbours Malaysia (133), the Philippines (145), and Singapore (162).
During the meeting, Erick had apparently voiced his interest in watching a match in Malaysia and visiting the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium – home of JDT. In response, Tunku Ismail could make a trip to Jakarta “soon”. That could very well mean more meetings are expected to take place.
If this game plan works, football in the region will be firing shots at all angles – from creating sustainable and economically sound clubs, to developing new economic opportunities. This will also uplift the sports industry in the region, create more inter-nation collaborations, and even promote sports diplomacy.
This could very well set the template for a successful football business model – moving away from the traditional “I expect money from the state government/local council” mentality that is so prevalent in Malaysia.
The ball is now in the court of Tunku Ismail and Erick Thohir. Here’s to hoping they will serve an ambitious, yet realistic plan that will leave football stakeholders hungry for more.
Main image: (From left) Bernard, Glenn, Tunku Ismail, Erick and Lim after the meeting. – hrhcrownprinceofjohor/ Instagram.
