KUALA LUMPUR: Respect the 39 Malaysian Football Association (FAM) representatives as they have more experience compared to those nominated for the presidency post, said Umno Information chief Tan Sri Annuar Musa today.
Annuar was recently nominated for the top post along with Johor Darul Ta'zim football club owner Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.
"There are 39 representatives in FAM and they are all very experienced compared to those nominated. So we must show respect to them. They know what's best for Malaysian football.
"So there's no need for us to think too much about this because these 39 people are very capable. Even Umno elections involves 2,000 to 3,000 delegates and it was just fine," he told reporters at the Putra World Trade Centre here today.
When asked on his preparation, Annuar said his duty as Umno information chief would come first as it was more important to engage the people to address their issues instead of talking about football.
Initially, Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin and former Home Ministry secretary-general Tan Sri Aseh Che Mat had also been namned to contest for the top FAM post.
However, Khairy later said he would opt out should Tunku Ismail decided to run for the post.
The new FAM president will be announced during the national football congress on March 25.