Malaysian football legend Datuk M. Karathu believes that it’s time for the Football Association of Malaysia to be completely revamped, claiming that nepotism as well as incompetency will continue to ruin the local football scene, if no change is implemented.
The 73 year-old has been a loyal servant to the local football scene for over five decades now, since breaking into the scene as a young player in 1961. He scored the first ever Malaysia Cup final goal in 1964, helped Perak win the FA Cup as a head coach in 1990 and more recently led Kelantan to the Super League title in 2011.
But more importantly, he has witnessed the local football scene go on a roller-coaster ride, without achieving any real and tangible progress. And right now, he sees no way forward, unless a certain Tunku Ismail ibni Sultan Ibrahim assumes the leadership of FAM.
“Look, I’ve been a part of this system for so many years now and I’ve seen everything. From match-fixing to corruption to poor managements, I’ve seen them all. But it will keep happening unless there’s a proper reform,” he told FourthOfficial.com
“We will only move forward if TMJ takes over FAM. Then we’ll have modern ideas. We’ll also have progressive leadership, which will undoubtedly help the local football scene,” he added.
Tunku Ismail is widely regarded as a major football icon within the country, having played a monumental role behind the rise of Johor Darul Ta’azim. Under his leadership, the Southern Tigers have won the Malaysia Super League for the last two seasons, and they even sealed an unprecedented AFC Cup triumph last year, becoming the first Southeast Asian side to accomplish the feat.
They’ve forged international collaborations with the likes of Borussia Dortmund and Valencia CF, besides now boasting some of the best football facilities within the country. But as far as Karathu is concerned, the biggest change Tunku Ismail has brought upon JDT is the ‘culture of professionalism’ – something that he thinks is absolutely needed within FAM.
“What he’s done for JDT is incredible. It’s not just about the players and the facilities. It’s the mentality. The desire for success. He needs to come into FAM and knock that mentality in as well.
“Advisor? No, he needs to be the next FAM President. Then he’ll be able to implement the necessary changes. Until then, our football will continue to be stagnant. There’s too much of politics involved. We don’t need that,” the ex-Perak head coach concluded.
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