KUALA LUMPUR: Just a day before nominations for the FA of Malaysia (FAM) president’s post closes tomorrow (Friday), the Pahang FA (PFA) have made a shock move by nominating Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) deputy president and National Sports Institute (NSI) chairman, Datuk Seri Abdul Azim Mohd Zabidi for the top post.
The move sees a straight fight for FAM’s hot seat that will take place at the national football governing body’s annual congress on July 14 between Azim and FAM secretary-general, Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin, who up till today was the sole, much touted nominee for the top post.
Before this, 18 stakeholders had already stated their stand by nominating Hamidin, with PFA and Kuala Lumpur remaining silent.
According to PFA vice-president, Datuk Akhbar V V Abu, they came to the decision to nominate Azim based on his experience in helming NSI.
"PFA have nominated OCM deputy president and NSI chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Azim Mohd Zabidi for the FAM president’s post for the 2018-2021 term that will be decided at FAM’s annual congress.
"Azim’s nomination is based on his vast experience and we believe that he is more than capable in shouldering the responsibilities and duties of FAM president.
"His leadership can also help FAM in achieving its goal towards glory for Malaysian football,” he said via a media statement that was released earlier today (Thursday).
At last month’s FAM Exco meeting, the Exco had unanimously accepted Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim’s resignation as FAM president after almost a year helming the country’s football governing body.
At that meeting as well, deputy-president Datuk Yusoff Mahadi was appointed as interim president as advised by Tunku Ismail during the period leading up to the election of a new president.
Tunku Ismail who is the chairman of Malaysia Football League (MFL), has voiced his support for Hamidin to succeed him, which was supported by FAM’s Exco.