Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah
KUCHING (Jan 31): Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah is putting high hopes on the new leadership and management of the Football Association of Sarawak (FAS).
In this regard, the Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development also hopes to no longer hear ‘unpleasant reports’ concerning the association.
“Congratulations to the new leadership and management of FAS. I hope this would be a new era in Sarawak football.
“I hope that after this, there would be no more reports about players not getting paid their salaries,” he said in a statement issued today.
It was reported that the Sarawak government had to look into the issue of non-payment of wages to Sarawak United FC players last year.
In a statement made on Aug 26 last year, Abdul Karim acknowledged the players’ claims about not receiving their wages and said the matter was brought up to the state cabinet meeting.
“We do not want those who fight for Sarawak to be sidelined.
“I hope that the FAS management would be able to resolve the problem as it could tarnish the image of Sarawak,” the minister was quoted as having said then.
Last Saturday (Jan 28), FAS held their annual general meeting (AGM) in Sarikei to elect new committee members for the 2023-2025 term.
Abang Zulkarnain Abang Abdul Rahman, a former assistant secretary of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), was elected the new FAS president, replacing Datuk Posa Majais.
Abdul Karim then congratulated Abang Zulkarnain and his team, also expressing hope that they would be responsible in FAS leadership.
“I hope they would not give any excuse, such as it’s their affiliates that wanted them in FAS leadership when they didn’t want to be there in the first place.
“Once elected, they must realise that they have many responsibilities to fulfil,” stressed Abdul Karim.