KUALA LUMPUR: SPORT fans must be finding the ‘social media duels’ between Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman and JDT owner Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim more interesting than an M-League game.
The verbal spat between the duo happened following last week’s highly publicised news of English champions Manchester City’s interest in buying an M-League club.
Tunku Ismail, a former FA of Malaysia president, later claimed that City had no intention of buying an M-League club as Man City CEO Ferran Soriano had come to Kuala Lumpur for a sponsorship deal with CIMB Group.
Syed Saddiq responded by saying: “If you don’t believe me, check with NSC director general (Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail) and (CIMB chief executive officer) Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul (Aziz). Even my officers and their officers were present (when City stated their intention to buy a Malaysian club).
“Before the press conference, I also asked for permission to speak about it and he (Soriano) agreed.
“Besides, he was sitting next to me during the press conference and I conversed in English.”
Tunku Ismail later took to Instagram to take a swipe at Syed Saddiq, stating: “First of all, you need to learn how to kick a ball properly. Trying to get involved in the football industry for political mileage is a joke.
“Trying to discredit me from what I have achieved in the football world is like a clown fish commenting on how a shark should swim and hunt.”
Syed Saddiq responded with some sarcasm, saying he felt “honoured” (that TMJ has seen him play football) when even his (Syed Saddiq’s) mother has not seen him play football after a footage of the minister playing in a football friendly emerged on social media.
This has led to a call for a football friendly match (by former sports journalist, Vijhay Vick) between teams from Syed Saddiq and Tunku Ismail.
Tunku Ismail, keen to take on Syed Saddiq in a football match, said the Larkin Stadium’s doors are open to the minister’s team.
“Challenge accepted. Larkin will be opened to team Picasso. Then a one-on-one skills challenge as gladiators is a must. I think this can be done very soon or do we have to wait for Man City to buy a Malaysian club first?” said Tunku Ismail.
Now, excited netizens are lobbying for the match to happen.