Kuala lumpur: Malaysia has the potential to become a leading football nation in Asia if the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) successfully implements its proposed governance reforms, according to Asian Football Confederation (AFC) secretary-general Datuk Seri Windsor Paul John. He emphasized that Malaysia has advantages that many countries across Asia do not possess, such as strong government backing, passionate fan support, sponsorship opportunities, and extensive media coverage of football.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Windsor highlighted that in many countries, football is not the primary sport, and government and fan support may be minimal. However, Malaysia stands out by having all these crucial elements in place, indicating a significant potential for growth in the football scene. He addressed these points during a press conference following the FAM Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM).
Windsor pointed out Malaysia's past achievements on the continental stage, including the national team's bronze medal at the 1974 Asian Games in Tehran and qualification for the 1980 Olympic Games, as evidence of the country's capabilities. He expressed optimism that with appropriate governance structures and the right personnel, Malaysia could replicate and surpass these successes.
The AFC-proposed statutes, consisting of 94 articles, were approved at the EGM following an audit aimed at bolstering governance and initiating positive reforms within FAM. Key proposals include the elimination of the deputy president's position, reduction of vice-presidential seats to three, and restructuring of the FAM Executive Committee (Exco).
Additionally, the reform draft suggests expanding FAM's affiliate membership by granting Super League clubs automatic affiliate status and voting rights at congresses, contingent on their autonomy from state football associations. An AFC quality audit report revealed that most of FAM's operational areas are at Level 2 (Pre-Intermediate), suggesting room for improvement.
The EGM was chaired by Windsor and attended by FAM honorary president Tan Sri Hamidin Mohd Amin, FAM secretary-general Datuk Noor Azman Rahman, 35 delegates from all 18 affiliates, as well as representatives from FIFA and the AFC. In January, FAM Exco members decided on a mass resignation for the 2025-2029 term, prioritizing organizational responsibility amidst public scrutiny on various issues.