KUALA LUMPUR: Former international Datuk Abdah Alif has urged Pahang to make a u-turn by taking up the challenge to take part in the AFC Cup for next season.
This is because he is of the opinion the decision by the Elephants squad to turn down the offer to play in the competition will not only be a loss for the team but for football in the country as well
Abdah who was a key player for the Malaysia side that qualified for the 1980 Moscow Olympics, said that Pahang’s excuse of wanting to concentrate on domestic competition should be used by any team in the country.
In fact, he also views the excuse of cost to turn down the offer to compete as embarrassing for Malaysian football.
“Pahang’s decision can be likened to getting the opportunity to further studies abroad but rejecting it with the excuse of just wanting to study locally.
“This is an opportunity to test the players in terms of competing at a high level of competition. We cannot be content with just being league champions or Malaysia Cup winners.
“The AFC Cup can also be a platform to expose players to a higher standard of competition other than level of football, and it will indirectly help to improve their performance when they turn out for the national team.
“It is really a loss for Malaysian football if we have a team with such an attitude and outlook as this shouldn’t be the case.
“What we really need is a strong mentality to achieve as much success at the very highest level, only then can Malaysian football move forward for the better, for the national team as well,” he said.
Abdah also disagrees with the excuse given by the chairman for the state’s youth and sports committee, Datuk Mohd Johari Hussain who said that the cost of taking part in a regional competition is one of the main reasons why Pahang rejected the offer.
“Does the cost factor mean we are held back by financial constraints and difficulties to send the team to take part in a regional?
“If the answer is ‘yes’, then it is something really embarrassing for us in the eyes of the world because a professional football team does not have the financial means to compete in a prestigious regional competition.
“I hope Pahang will re-think their decision and make a ‘u-turn’ by taking up the challenge because there is still time to do so,” said Abdah who also helped Pahang win the Malaysia Cup in 1983.