KJ to lead FAM?

"I would like a shot at leading FAM, properly. I would even press 'pause' on my political career for that. Give it one proper shot."

Former FA of Malaysia (FAM) deputy president Khairy Jamaluddin certainly raised eyebrows with his tweets yesterday.

Khairy has seen his fair share of ups and downs in the domestic football scene. The Umno Youth chief was once involved with the now defunct MyTeam before securing a position within the national body.

The Rembau MP was rather vocal during his stay in FAM and that did not go down too well with some of the elders. 

I've interviewed Khairy or better known as KJ, on many occasions - from the launch of UPB-MyTeam at Bukit Kiara, meeting him while he was deputy president of FAM and even sought a clarification after he was quoted as saying that the "Malaysian League was crap".

But he was willing to take the rap for his actions - a trait hardly seen by the current set of officials - as seen here and here.

And this is an article of mine published in The Malay Mail in 2009;

‘Let’s skip a generation’

THESE days you can’t talk about local football without talking about Khairy Jamaluddin (pic).

The FA of Malaysia deputy-president and national team manager is a hot topic by himself.
So the charismatic MP of Rembau, widely known as just ‘KJ’, is always a compelling interview prospect for the Press.

Mailsport’s HARESH DEOL found that out last Saturday, during the interval of the KL Plus – Kuala Muda Premier League match at the Cheras Stadium.

In a terse yet forcible interview, Khairy talks about the M-League, the bookies and critics. 


Mailsport (MS): The MSL was formed in 2004 with the objective of raising the game’s standard. How effective has it been so far? 

Khairy Jamaluddin (KJ): The league has not shown much improvement.

We need to revise it. Perhaps there are simply too many matches with the leagues, the Malaysia Cup and FA Cup. It has been a little disappointing.

MS: The Super League is rather disorganised as we still don’t know how many teams will be relegated even when the season has ended.

KJ: We’ll know when the exco meeting is held on May 17. I admit it’s rather disorganised and we’ve got to look into it.

The number of teams in the Super League also needs to be addressed. A lot of other things need to be reviewed too.

MS:Would it be better to allow MSL instead of FAM to organise the league? KJ: Even if that happens, will it guarantee a raise in standard? We simply need to break everything down and start afresh.

If you asked me, perhaps we could skip a generation and concentrate on the youths. What’s the use of spending so much money at the top level when the base is not strengthened? When you get lousy players at the bottom, whatmore to expect when they reach top-flight football? I’m happy we’re working well with the Ministry of Education (through the agegroup competitions) but it’s still not enough.

We need more matches to cater for a larger pool of youngsters. It has not been encouraging so far and more needs to be done for our younger generation of players.

MS: So wouldn’t the RM17 million pumped into the Champions Youth Cup be better spent on schools? KJ: If you ask me, not as FAM vice president but as an individual, I would agree. Such money should go towards youth development.

No question about that.

(Khairy told the media earlier that the FAM are considering not sanetioning the CYC and disagree with AFC’s role in the tournament as FAM are the sport’s governing body in the country.

Also, FAM doubt the tournament is value for money.) MS: We were rocked by another match-fixing scandal. Do you think it’s time for betting to be legalised in the country? KJ: That’s for the government to decide but I don’t think it will solve the problem. There will still be illegal syndicates offering higher cuts than the legalised ones, so we’ll be back to square one.

MS: You started off with MyTeam. Today, you’re the Vice-President of FAM.

Is the SportsMinistry your next destination? KJ: No la! Nothing of that sort. I’m just looking at football for now.

MS: You seem to have many critics, from coffee shop patrons to the blogsphere.

Any comments? KJ: You’re talking about football or in general? (smiles) Either way, it’s what I do that matters. It’s all about results at the end of the day.


HD says: So you plan to run in the next elections, FAM elections that is, YB?

Comments

  1. "The damage in FAM is beyond repair"

    Its time we need a new ship and crew members. we must demolish the old ship contaminated with untreatable sickness and disease.

    Everyone who talks of improving football in the country must first come to their sense that, by sailing on the current ship will not in anyway change anything at all. In the first place,do they realize the problem? and on what grounds they claim that they can bring about the needed change and improvement to the playing ability?

    Just take a good look at the people running football in the country. Do we want to be part of them or should we kick them out?

    For the records, can KJ, explain the problems and what is needed to improving the standard of playing...?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hisap baik ne broo

    ReplyDelete
  3. KJ efforts in Myteam as well as in FAM ended abruptly. It may or not be his mistake. But he should be careful with his stand if he wants to go for the big post in FAM. He must not abandon the ship.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm willing to support KJ as long as the "father-son" combo is out of FAM. I was quite happy earlier when KJ became the Deputy President of FAM and dethroning the current Dep. FAM 1 but it didn't last long. Please comeback KJ.

    Pak Nik

    ReplyDelete
  5. more politician in malaysian football with more craps.. KJ will become the biggest liability if he rejoins FAM... enuff with politician running sports org, he KJ already crap in his politic carrier now he will brings his shit to FAM...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. To Anon 11.26 pm, I think KJ will perform better than the current Father and Son combo.

      Delete
  6. GILA KA??????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    ini macam hantar perempuan buat kerja buruh!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Tickets for Kuala Lumpur Masters Malaysia Super 100 2023 now available

Pelepasan cukai tambahan untuk pembelian alatan sukan, sewaan fasiliti sukan antara cadangan untuk Bajet 2024

From 'Mr P' to 'Kemelut Dalaman BAM': Four chapters of 'mesej Whatsapp layang'