Datu Sudarsono Osman
KUCHING: Football Association of Sarawak (FAS) president Datu Sudarsono Osman has been nominated as a candidate to contest the post of vice-president in the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM).
The other seven candidates vying for the four vice-presidential posts are Datuk Takiyudin Hassan (Malay Football Association of Malaysia), Datuk Rozabil Abdul Rahman (Perlis Football Association), Datuk Astaman Abdul Aziz (Kuala Lumpur Football Association), General Tan Sri Zulkiefli Mohd Zin (Armed Forces Football Association), Datuk Rosmadi Ismail (Kelantan Football Association), Datuk Zainol Fadzi Paharuddin (Perak Footbal Association) and Datuk Wan Ahmad Nizam Wan Abdul Hamid (Terengganu Football Association).
All candidates are either FAM-affiliated or state football association Exco members.
Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal and Datuk Seri Afandi Hamzah are the two incumbent vice-presidents.
A national daily last week sparked speculation that Sudarsono might be vying for the FAM deputy president or the vice-president post.
The FAS president himself has yet to confirm any news on the matter so far.
“I am thankful for the nomination by the FAM state affiliate members and I think I can contribute a lot to Malaysia’s football development,” he said when talking to The Borneo Post yesterday.
The elections are due at the 50th FAM Congress be held in Kuala Lumpur on May 25.
Meanwhile, incumbent FAM president Sultan Ahmad Shah will face a three-cornered fight for the post against his son Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah and Johor state crown prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim who is also Johor State Football Association (PNBJ) president.
The late Datuk Taha Ariffin, who was FAS president from 1997 to 2003, had once held the post of FAM vice-president.
News of Sudarsono’s nomination has been well received in local football circles.
Former Sarawak player, captain and manager Jalil Ramli commented on the subject in a national daily a few days ago.
“His (Sudarsono’s) management skills are superb and I admire his charisma. Should he be appointed, he will make a massive postive impact to national football development,” he was quoted as saying.
Sudarsono is also Permanent Secretary in Sarawak’s Ministry of Resource Planning and Environment.