KUCHING: A die-hard fan here believes that to revive Sarawak football out of slump that has been plaguing it for years, it would need more than just the support from the state government.
The keen observer, who calls himself ‘Bujang Kurang Senang’, wrote to thesundaypost about major issues surrounding Sarawak football, which had just begun to attain that ‘feel good’ factor following the warranted slot to the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) League for the Kuching Team by virtue of their qualification into the People’s Football League (Liga Bolasepak Rakyat – or LBR) national finals.
“Moreover, Miri had successfully hosted the (30th) Tun Sharifah Rodziah Cup 2017 women’s football tournament – the first ever to be held outside Peninsular Malaysia and also one where Sarawak emerged champion for the first time since 1976. Full credit to (Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports) Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah for such a successful hosting,” he said.
According to Bujang, the partnership between Sarawak football and the state government is nothing new, pointing out that Sarawak FA (FAS) was the brainchild of the late Datuk Taha Ariffin and was formed with the full support from the state government in 1974.
“The state government has continued to provide support and assistance to the state football team. (Youth, Sports and Solidarity Minister) Dato Sri Micheal Manyin in paying tribute to the late Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem, said it was his (Adenan’s) move to add ‘solidarity’ to the ministerial portfolio. He (Adenan) wanted the ministry to strive in uniting everybody through sports,” he said.
Bujang also lauded Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg on his key role in ensuring the Kuching Team’s success in the LBR Cup last year and their qualification into the FAM Cup this year.
“This augurs well for Sarawak football, with the CM playing an active role and also leading the way for other political leaders to follow.”
However, Bujang believed that such role could not be shouldered by the state government alone.
He observed that Sarawak football had been losing its lustre over the years – a far cry from the glory days of the ‘Ngap Sayot’ team under Awang Mahyan and Alan Vest.
“There was so much excitement back then. The footballers were dubbed ‘Bujang Senang’, after the infamous crocodile of Batang Lupar. Star players in the likes of John ‘Kerbau’ Hunter, Alistair Edwards, David Evans and the late Sazali Mohd were household names.
“We need this to come back; I think Sarawak needs to engage the big GLCs (government-linked companies) and corporate giants towards making football a game everyone is passionate about,” he said.
Bujang also pointed out other league teams that grew in prominence, thanks to ‘fat sponsorships’.
“Selangor, Perak, Terengganu and Pahang – to name a few – receive generous allocations for their football teams. Even more obvious is Johor DT – an obscure team once upon a time, but thanks to significant sponsorships, they have risen above the national league to become an Asian powerhouse.
“It is learned that the monthly salary for their import players are equivalent to the whole monthly pay for Sarawak’s local footballers,” he disclosed.
On this, Bujang called upon prominent corporate players such as Cahya Mata Sarawak Bhd (CMS), Laku Managament Sdn Bhd (Laku), Naim Group, DAYANG Entreprise, Shell Sarawak, Petronas, MLNG, ABF, Zecon Bhd and Hock Seng Lee Bhd to be more involved in sports and make sports sponsorships a key part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) for Sarawak.
“Some local players like Rimbunan Hijau, Sarawak Energy Bhd, Ta Ann, Ibraco and a local passionate supporter, businessman LSC owner Raymond Sim, have led the way in making state football successful again through their CSR.
“I believe that the ‘romance’ of past glory can be resurrected – the ‘Bujang Senang’ spirit is still alive.
“However, the younger fans need something to be excited about.
“We pride ourselves on being brave and have the chance of beating teams like Johor DT – it is possible,” Bujang concluded his letter.