Twentytwo13

The great Malaysian football conundrum – poor ROI despite millions spent

It was a tweet that continues to attract plenty of reaction from Twitter users.

Soon after Malaysia lost 3-0 to Vietnam in the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Cup last Sunday, Twentytwo13 editor Haresh Deol tweeted:

“Strange but true. Badminton, bowling, diving, and squash are among sports where its athletes perform on the international stage. But football, which has been stuck in the Southeast Asian region for decades, remains the number one sport in Malaysia.”

In his latest column in Malay-language news website, Getaran, Haresh wrote that the reactions from the fans were fascinating. There were those who disagreed, but many others acknowledged the tweet, as it had garnered over 7,500 retweets and more than 12,500 likes thus far.

Haresh noted that football has a profound impact, not only in Malaysia, but across the globe.

“Its impact can be seen when people are willing to take leave during the World Cup, just to watch their favourite teams in action. Politicians also love to use football as an instrument to garner support or votes,” wrote Haresh.

“Football can be played anywhere – from the corridor of a flat, to a public parking area. What is required is just a ball – a football, a ball made from paper, a bottle cover, a tennis ball, or any other item that can be kicked around.

“The rules are simple. Football is blind when it comes to one’s social status. It’s a sport for all.”

However, Haresh pointed out that his tweet was dedicated to the guardians and stakeholders of the game, who often enjoyed millions of ringgit from the Federal and state governments.

But the returns on investment have been poor.

“No other sport receives such huge funding annually, although their athletes shine at major international meets like the world championships, Asian Games and even Olympics.”

As Malaysia takes on Indonesia in a do-or-die match in the AFF Cup tonight (8.30pm), questions remain over its performance beyond the nation’s shores. While fans often dream of success and harp about past glories, other nations like Vietnam, Thailand, and even the Philippines, have progressed.

This was evident in the match against Vietnam. The Malaysian team lacked intensity and creativity on the field, compared to their opponents.

“Imagine the money, taxpayers’ money, that had been wasted on a sport that still struggles in this region. Imagine if the same amount of money was given to other sports like squash, hockey, archery, or even bowling.

“Now, imagine if football was labelled as ‘entertainment’ in Malaysia, administrators must source for their own funds, and prove, just like other sports, that they can deliver on the international stage before joining the elite sports club.

“Perhaps, this is required to truly see Malaysian football progress.”

Read the full report on getaran.my.