KUCHING: Football Association of Sarawak (FAS) secretary general Abdullah Julaihi has dismissed speculation that a second Sarawak team will be formed to compete in the Malaysia League next season.
Abdullah Julaihi
Talk about the formation of a second Sarawak football team allegedly to be headed by a local businessmen have been circulating in the internet in recent days.
The name of former state coach Abdul Jalil Ramli, supposedly to be assisted by former state players, has also surfaced.
“Of course it’s not true as they are merely rumours. There were no discussion regarding that matter either,” Julaihi told The Borneo Post yesterday.
A state having more than one team is in fact a growing trend in the Malaysian league.
During the semi-pro era which started in 1982, the league only consisted of state teams who competed with teams representing the Armed Forces, Police Force and neighbouring countries like Brunei and Singapore.
Club sides, however, started to emerge since the professional era started in 1994.
States like Selangor and Pahang can be considered trail-blazers. They have more than one team with the emergence of football clubs such as Selangor PKNS, Selangor MPPJ, Selangor Public Bank, Pahang Shahzan Muda and Pahang NAZA Kuala Muda.
Even neighbours Sabah currently have two teams, with the state team playing in the Premier League (second division) and Cebagoo FC in the FAM League (third division).
Johor is also another team well known for having more than one team. Johor DT play in the Super League (first division) while Johor DT II compete in the Premier League.
Judging by the comments of many local fans in the internet, the idea of Sarawak having a second team may not be bad at all. Some view it as a step forward in the development of local football.