FAM President role: Fitness camps, nutritional education at the heart of Iskandar’s football plan
Who will lead FAM? Candidates present their vision for change
SHAH ALAM - The race for the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) presidency at next month’s congress is gaining momentum, with rumours of four candidates vying for the top position.
Among them, fitness consultant and former national rugby player Iskandar Salleh has stepped forward with a bold vision to transform Malaysian football.
Iskandar, 50, who represented Malaysia in rugby from 2000 to 2005, unveiled an ambitious manifesto aimed at revitalising the sport from grassroots to professional levels.
He even pledged to allocate RM50,000 of the RM90,000 presidential monthly salary to State Sports Schools (SSN) and District Training Centres (PLD) for gym facilities to enhance player fitness.
“I am committed to strengthening collaboration with the Ministry of Education by placing full-time fitness coaches at State Sports School (SSN) and State Training Centre (PLD)," Iskandar told Sinar.
He also stressed integrity, vowing that problematic State Football Association (FA) officials would not be tolerated.
Iskandar proposed the creation of the Borneo Cup to foster competition in Sabah and Sarawak.
For the national squad, he envisions a blend of experienced players and young talents, including Under-23 and Under-19 players, who will attend phased fitness camps.
“Players will receive education on physical strength, nutrition and mental resilience. Whether heritage, naturalised or local players, all must maintain top fitness levels,” he added.
He also outlined a streamlined structure for the country’s top-tier league, limiting clubs to two teams—a senior squad for the Super League and an Under-23 team.
The Under-18 and Under-20 teams would fall under the purview of state FAs.
For the M3 League, Iskandar suggested dividing it into three regional groups:
- North: Perlis, Kedah, Penang, and Perak
- East Coast: Kelantan, Terengganu, and Pahang
- Central: Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, and Johor
Iskandar, currently a fitness coach, conducted football-related research in 2007.
His training programme has been utilised by a Malaysian sports school football team since 2018.
The FAM Congress, set for Feb 15, requires nominations to be submitted by Jan 16 at Wisma FAM, Kelana Jaya.
Other potential candidates include FAM Vice President Datuk Mohd Joehari Mohd Ayub, Malaysian Olympic Council President Datuk Seri Megat D Shahriman Zaharudin, former FAM Deputy President Datuk Seri Afandi Hamzah, and entrepreneur Sayf Ismail.
Download Sinar Daily application.Click Here!
