KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today expressed his concern over reports that several state football associations were looking to pull out of the Malaysian Super League next season due to financial constraints.
He advised the associations, including the Kelantan Football Association (KAFA), to seek a solution to their woes.
“I hope KAFA and other states involved will find a solution to overcome their financial woes,” he said via a Facebook posting today.
Najib said he was made to understand that KAFA’s problems arose following the resignation of its president Tan Sri Annuar Musa.
“I have asked him to assist KAFA so as not to disappoint the hopes of thousands of Red Warriors fans,” he said.
Football, said the prime minister, is the country’s number one sport and as such, it is important for all involved in the sport locally to ensure that it continues to prosper.
“We cannot disappoint the millions of football fans nationwide, especially the younger generation.
“Insya-Allah (God willing), with mutual cooperation and sincerity from all sides, we can find a way out of this problem.”
Five days ago, KAFA announced that it would withdraw from the Super League next season, due to financial constraints.
However, it said that a final decision would be made at its extraordinary congress on Dec 29 in Kota Baru.
Kafa acting president Datuk Seri Afandi Hamzah had said that the state FA have so far raised only RM800,000 in sponsorships for the new season. It is understood that the team needs at least RM15 million to prepare a solid team for the Super League.