Khairy Jamaluddin
PUTRAJAYA: The acquisition of Italian football club, FC Bari 1908 by Malaysian real estate magnate, Datuk Dr Noordin Ahmad, may bring positive impact on the development of Malaysian football in future.
Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin believed that the acquisition would create a good impact to the sport in the long term.
He disclosed this after officiating the pre-launch of the National Youth Day 2016 here today.
“I believe it can contribute but for the moment, the contribution to the development of national football may not be too apparent,” he said when commenting on the perception that the acquisition of the club was only profit-motivated and would not help in developing Malaysian football.
Khairy said the Malaysian-owned club might be able to forge formal cooperation with local football clubs in carrying out coach development or sending players to train there.
Noordin became a majority shareholder of FC Bari 1908 after acquiring 50 per cent shares worth 12 million Euros (RM52.59 million) from the president of FC Bari 1908, Gianluca Paparesta who previously owned 95 per cent interest in the club which is now eyeing to play in Serie A in the coming season. – Bernama