Abang Johari speaking to reporters while (from right) Fazzrudin, Snowdan and Karim look on.
KUCHING: The current unsatisfactory performance of the Sarawak team in the Premier League has caught the attention of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Abang Johari has suggested that the state team be re-structured with some funding from the state government to restore the sport to its glory days.
Johari has appointed the Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah to head the re-structuring process.
“As we know the performance of the state team now is not so encouraging.
“What we need to do now if we have the financial resources, I am appointing Abdul Karim to restructure the whole Sarawak team.
“At the same time, we will form a new team which will be much better,” Abang Johari told reporters at the opening ceremony of the Pandelela Rinong Aquatic Centre in Petra Jaya on Tuesday.
He stressed, however, that the state professional team should not place too much hope on having 100 per cent financial support from the state government.
“We need to admit that our team’s performance is not up to expectations as it will take time.
“On how to restructure this team, I leave that to Abdul Karim,” said Abang Johari.
Meanwhile, Karim said the re-structuring exercise will not only involve football but other sports as well.
Also present at the press conference were Assistant Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Snowdan Lawan and Tupong assemblyman Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman.