Leadership, Accountability, Vision: The key traits for FAM’s next president
The focus is on selecting a new president who will guide the nation’s football to new heights, earning respect both domestically and internationally, over the next four-year term from 2025 to 2029.
THE race to elect a new leadership for the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) is heating up as the application deadline approaches this Thursday.
With Tan Sri Hamidin Mohd Amin stepping down after holding the presidency since 2018, critics and fans alike are closely watching the candidates vying for the top seat.
The focus is on selecting a new president who will guide the nation’s football to new heights, earning respect both domestically and internationally, over the next four-year term from 2025 to 2029.
Sports analyst Zainal Abidin Rawop highlighted three key qualities the new FAM president must possess: a strong personality, solid leadership skills and a visionary approach to the development of football, from grassroots levels to the international stage.
He also stressed the importance of responsibility in advancing the nation’s football to its highest potential.
“We need someone who initiates projects, but if they fail, they must take responsibility and step down from their position,” Zainal said.
He cited an example of an FAM Exco member who was entrusted with managing a youth squad for two tournaments.
After failing to qualify in the first tournament and losing to Laos in the second, the manager took responsibility for the failure and resigned. However, he remained on the Exco.
Zainal emphasised that FAM needs a leader who is accountable and committed to seeing plans and projects through to completion.
“As of now, I don’t see anyone truly taking responsibility. But when the team performs well, everyone makes statements like ‘we’re optimistic about reaching the final’ or ‘the semifinals are within our grasp.’ We don’t want such empty dreams. We need to be realistic,” he added.
Nomination forms for all top FAM positions must be submitted by Jan 16, with the election scheduled for Feb 15.
The election has drawn attention to the presidential candidates, with Datuk Mohd Joehari Mohd Ayub proposed by several affiliate members, including representatives from state football associations.
Other contenders include former FAM Deputy President Datuk Seri Afandi Hamzah, as well as Datuk Seri Megat D Shahriman Zaharudin, the President of the Malaysian Paralympic Council (MPM), who has pledged not to take a salary if elected.
Businessman Sayf Ismail has also declared his intention to run as an independent candidate.
For the presidency, each candidate must secure six nominations, while candidates for deputy president require five, vice president four, and Exco members need two.