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Syed Saddiq to meet excos after news of possible pullout from Asian Games' football

KUALA LUMPUR: Youth and Sports Ministry will meet all state executive councillors to discuss the lack of Under-23 football players to compete in the upcoming 18th Asian Games in Indonesia next month.

Its Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said he would also meet with Malaysia’s coach, Ong Kim Swee to get a better picture on the issue.

“We are in the midst of meeting all the state sports excos and Ong Kim Swee to look for a solution on this matter.

“Taking immediate action without having a dialogue with them is not right. It is important that we sit down and look into the causes of the problem,” he said, after presenting certificates and diplomas to 504 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) graduates at the 5th Malaysian Youth Council (MBM) convocation ceremony in Bangi this morning.

Also present were Youth and Sports Ministry secretary-general Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali; MBM president Mua’ammar Ghadafi Jamal and MBM permanent chairman Mohd Syahbuddin Hashim.

Syed Saddiq was commenting on a news report today saying that Malaysia may be forced to withdraw from the football event.

It was said that the M-League teams wanted their best players for the Malaysia Cup but its dates clash with the Asian Games on August 14 - Sept 1.

Ong said he has not ruled out the possibility of Malaysia withdrawing from the Asian Games if he does not have enough players to mount a strong challenge.

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