KUALA LUMPUR: Ashri Chu Chu is the sole player from the state shortlisted in the 100PLUS-Astro Arena-FAM National Football Awards. The skilful flanker from Lawas gets the Most Promising Player nomination but he has Mohd Rozaimi Abdul Rahman of Sabah and Nik Mohd Shahrul Azim Halim of Kelantan to fight for the honour.
It was no suprise that players from treble winner Kelantan dominated the shortlist of candidates. The East Coast state which clinched the Super League, FA Cup and Malaysia
Cup titles this season, have players represented in all eight categories of this year’s awards ceremony to be held in Shah Alam tomorrow. The annual event, which is sanctioned by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), aims to recognise the achievement of local footballers throughout the season, according to a statement from F&N Beverages, a co-sponsor of the event.
Kelantan goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat is facing stiff competition from fellow national teammate and fast-improving Mohd Farizal Marlias of Negeri
Sembilan, as well as Selangor’s Norazlan Razali. Kelantan skipper Mohd Badri Radzi is in contention in the best midfielder and most valuable player of the season categories. But though Kelantan may have received the bulk of nominations,
Premier League champions and Malaysia Cup runners-up, Armed Forces (ATM), have earned themselves a number of nominations following their outstanding performance this season.
Armed Forces head coach B. Sathianathan is in the running for the best coach award while import striker Marlon Alex James may run away with the newly-introduced best foreign player category.
The remaining awards are for the best football association, best club and also the best fan club. — Bernama