FA of Sarawak to adopt new structure

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KUCHING: The upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Football Association of Sarawak (FAS) will see a new structure adopted by the association which is in line with the requirement of world football governing body FIFA.

This will augment professionalism in FAS and a beacon of hope for football in the state.

“The current structure is for all FAS affiliates to automatically become council members, whereas the new structure will see membership to the council by voting process.

“The new structure was introduced by FIFA and recently endorsed by Football Association of Malaysia who made it compulsory to all state football association nationwide,” informed FAS secretary Abu Bakar Marzuki.

A briefing session to explain the workings and mechanics of the new structure to all FAS registered state affiliates would be held during the AGM on Aug 21.

Meanwhile, Abu Bakar has made it clear that the voting for the FAS president’s post will depend on the names submitted for nomination a week before the AGM.

“FAS will give the nomination forms to the affiliates on Aug 14 for them to nominate who will take the helm.

“Only then during the AGM that voting will be made to decide who will lead FAS.

“The seat is open to anybody and a clearer picture can only be made once the nominations are received,” said Abu Bakar.

Names bandied to take the helm of FAS include Football Management Group (FMG) chairman Datu Sudarsono Osman, former vice-president Datuk Richard Riot Jaem and Paruwadi Musa.

Meanwhile, state head coach Zaki Sheikh Ahmad and his assistants are optimistic with the results of their scouting trip.

The quest statewide for players saw them attending matches in Kuching/Samarahan, Sibu, Bintulu, Limbang and Miri.

The search has not been in vain as Zaki and his assistants have identified several potential players to don the state colours.

“So far we have identified 15 to 20 players who will join the current squad for training in Kuching after the Hari Raya celebrations.

“We have identified one goalkeeper while the rest are defenders, midfielders and strikers,” said Zaki who will shortlist the selected players for the final squad during the training in Kuching.

The Crocs ended the season in sixth spot with 37 points from 11 wins, four draws and seven losses, with 38 goals scored and 33 against.

This statistic is what Zaki hopes to improve next season.

On the President’s Cup squad, Zaki said that they had also observed several potential players for the team next season but it was up to the squad’s coach Sulaiman Mustanir to give them a call-up.

“We have recorded their (players) names and contact details to be given to Sulaiman for him to make further decisions,” added Zaki.

On his scouting trip, Zaki was saddened by the fact that the local coaches he visited were still using the ‘old school’ football training and coaching methods.