KUALA LUMPUR: Following criticism on social media, Kuala Lumpur FA have defended sending a delegation of 20 officials to Australia last weekend to study the structure of A-League club Perth Glory.
KLFA general secretary Nokman Mustaffa said the four-day trip was meant for the officials to learn how to run a professional club.
"KL have just been promoted to the Super League and we want to do things the right way," said Nokman. "Among the things we are looking at exploring is commercial operations.
"The way Perth Glory runs its ticketing operations gave us an insight into how to raise our income besides relying on sponsorship.
"Compared to state teams in the M-League, KL are not a big side, so I don't see why we could not go there to learn how to do things properly."
The delegation was headed by KLFA president Datuk Seri Adnan Md Ikhsan, who also took in an A-League match between Perth and Melbourne Victory on Sunday.
Nokman said the officials were also impressed by the facilities available at Perth's stadium as well as the pre-game activities organised to draw in a crowd.
"Since we will be playing in the Super League next year, we need to find ways to draw in the crowd," said Nokman.
"Perth organised a ladies match before kick-off and also other activities for fans to take part in.
"Their game organisation is something we can emulate while their working relationship with the government is also something which surprised us."
Nokman said Glory officials would be invited to make a trip to Kuala Lumpur to discuss ways of further improving KLFA's operations.
"We want to implement a proper ticketing structure which includes season passes.
"We don't have much experience in this area which is why we are seeking assistance."
Meanwhile, KL will begin their search for an Indonesian defender next week to fill the newly-introduced Asean import quota.
"We don't have any names in mind as yet but we will begin looking when the coach (Fabio Maciel) returns from his holidays this weekend," added Nokman.