PUTRAJAYA — A total of RM15 million has been allocated to elevate the national football team, Harimau Malaya, into a football giant in the Asian region, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar announced today.
Of the total, he said RM10 million will be allocated by the government through the Ministry of Finance, while RM5 million is a commitment from the private sector.
The move will ensure Harimau Malaya can guarantee the welfare of its players and employ the best managers and coaches.
“If we get managers and coaches who show their commitment even though they are from abroad, I believe we can raise the name and reputation of Harimau Malaya in representing our beloved country, Malaysia.
“We want to ensure the comfort and welfare of the football players, their managers and coaches,” Anwar said in his address to Finance Ministry staff at their monthly assembly here today.
The prime minister added that he would personally monitor and support efforts to strengthen the national squad which recently suffered a setback when South Korean coach Kim Pan-gon resigned as head coach recently, more than a year before his contract was due to end.
The squad has also been faced with boycott threats from fans, including Ultras Malaya, the largest supporters’ group in the country, for the Merdeka Tournament that begins tomorrow until September 8.
The boycott calls reportedly include demands for the resignation of Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin.
Anwar today said the RM15 million is meant for the Harimau Malaya team and not FAM.
“It is for the manager, the coaches, and the welfare of the players. That is the priority,” he said.
The Prime Minister said he will meet FAM after returning from his official visit to Russia to attend the Eastern Economic Forum, which runs from today to Friday.
He will also ask Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh to immediately coordinate the distribution of the allocation.
A senior official from the Finance Ministry will also be tasked with oversight of the disbursement of hte funds to ensure that all related financial matters are in order, Anwar added.
“Hopefully, in addition to driving economic growth, we can also showcase Malaysia’s excellent football performance,” he said.
“Remembering the many problems, and especially the young people who are interested in football, I will also personally monitor and help strengthen the Harimau Malaya team,” he said. – September 3, 2024