KUALA LUMPUR - The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) must ensure that the doubling of the RM15 million allocation to RM30 million announced by the government for national football development translates into significant positive outcomes, said local sports analyst Mohd Sadek Mustafa.
He highlighted that the funding boost, announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday, provides FAM with an opportunity to realise its aspirations for the national team to emerge as a formidable football powerhouse in Southeast Asia.
"The additional allocation is meant to support preparations for the 2027 Asian Cup, which requires significant expenses, particularly for salaries within the national squad.
"The previous RM15 million allocation was insufficient as the costs for warm-up matches over the coming months are substantial and barely adequate,” he said when contacted today.
Mohd Sadek emphasised that FAM is fortunate to receive this injection of funds and urged the national football governing body to spend wisely while prioritising the development of the national team, which may increasingly feature heritage players in the future.
"These funds may also be used to secure the services of heritage players, but local players should not be sidelined. Fair treatment is crucial,” he added.
Meanwhile, another sports analyst, Ahmad Faisal Mohamed Fiah, expressed hope that the national football team’s performance would match the new funding received by FAM.
"The funding must be met with strong commitment from FAM to ensure it yields the desired results for Harimau Malaya.
"Let the investment be worthwhile. At the very least, aim to improve the squad’s current FIFA ranking of 132 to below 115 in the short term,” he said.
Earlier, FAM had pledged to fully utilise the additional allocation to enhance national team development programmes at every level.
FAM president Tan Sri Hamidin Mohd Amin said that the initiative includes preparing the senior team, Harimau Malaya, to be more competitive in international tournaments. - BERNAMA