KEMAMAN: State football associations and players must adopt a more professional approach in efforts to see a transformation towards professionalism.
Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said the professional aspect was one of the basic guidelines required by the World governing body for football (FIFA), to enable a certain league to be recognised.
Ahmad Shabery said the football fraternity must turn football into a much sort after industry but sadly we see a lack of concerted efforts to rebrand or revive the teams.
“We do not have team managements that are concerned about branding because most of the associations are still run by those who are still in the amateur days.
“We must look at ways to promote the name of the teams or clubs to attract attention, especially from fans and supporters because they (fans) are the pillars in the team’s success.
“Fans and supporters are the backbone of any team so teams must be professional in their approach to attract them. Fans pay to support their team, they are not in the stadiums to ask for assistance or free tickets.
“So, when fans show their commitment by paying to see their teams play, the teams must show their commitment by producing results,” he said when asked to comment on the internal crisis in the Terengganu football team.
The Terengganu FA was taken to task by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said after its disciplinary committee suspended coach Peter Butler for six months and fined him RM4,000 for issuing a statement on indiscipline of players, to the media, without prior approval from the team management. — Bernama