MALAYSIAN football has gone professional for 25 years after an initial five years of semi-professionalism.
But the Malaysian Football League (MFL) is still struggling and often run into problems. This stifles the growth of football in this country, resulting in the national team being ranked “very lowly” in the world.
Is there hope for Malaysian football and what needs to be done to improve the national team?
The game here needs an urgent overhaul and drastic measures must be taken to save it, according to two former administrators from two different eras of Malaysian football.
Bluntly put, they feel tough actions are required to resuscitate Malaysian football.
Former FA of Malaysia (FAM) secretary-general Datuk Dell Akbar (2001- 2005) said the problem has to be looked into in totality as one or two factors alone cannot lead to the sorry state of the MFL.
“Looking at the woes of Malaysian football, many will be quick to point to the ‘dole mentality’ of state FAs and clubs who depend on subsidy to manage their teams.
“But how much is the subsidy in terms of the whole expenditure of managing their teams?” asked the former international.
“I would say the subsidy would cover 10 to 20 per cent of their expenditures... depending on how much they spend on their team and their team’s status in the league. Teams would spend about RM10 million to RM50 million.
“Thus, it would be unfair to blame them to say they depend solely on subsidies to manage their teams and that’s why they run into problems like late or non-payment of wages.”
Dell said most of the MFL teams are running at a loss every season, and that is depressing.
He pointed out there are other factors like difficulty in getting sponsorships, poor management, over-ambitious moves in buying foreign and local players that led to the teams getting into trouble.
Dell said despite numerous revamps of the MFL over the years, the right formula for Malaysian football has not been found.
“After so many years and so many trials, I strongly feel that another brain storming session is really needed.
“This time it has to be a do-or-die mission and drastic measures need to be taken with all the stakeholders coming with an open mind and deciding on the best solution.”
Dell said the powers-that-be should:
• Allow only those with financial capabilities to manage teams, and with the infrastructures in place.
•Look into ways to improve gate collections.
•Get corporations to adopt teams on a long term basis.
•Decide on a manageable number of foreign players or even study whether Malaysia really needs them.
•Review the salaries for the MFL players.
Dell said if need be, the number of teams in the Super League can be reduced to eight with the rest to play in the lower divisions. Only admit them when they are financially sound and meet all the criteria.
“I know there are licensing rules in place for teams to qualify to play in the league, but we still have problems. Probably it needs more tightening and stringent enforcement of the criteria,” he said.
The MFL’s goal is to elevate Malaysian football, and it is centred on four key pillars; competitive matches, positive commercial growth, strong partnerships with stakeholders while increasing professionalism as well as integrity in team and league management. But sadly, the end result leaves much to be desired.
Ever since the Semi-Pro League days of 30 years ago, all these noble visions and aspirations have been told to state FAs and clubs year in, year out through seminars, but nothing seems to have changed much.
Former FA of Selangor secretary (1974-1993) Datuk S. Anthonysamy, an administrator from the amateur era of Malaysian football, felt that the teams were better managed in the amateur days than the present so called professional era.
“We were more prudent in those days because funds were difficult to come by,” he said.
“Yes, our expenditure in terms of salaries was way much less, but we still had to manage the team and pay allowances, bonuses, team’s travelling expenses, come out with money for overseas trips as rewards when our players won titles, and many others.”
“I strongly feel that drastic measures need to be taken to put Malaysian football back on track,” said
Anthonysamy, 84, who was involved in various capacities with FAS and FAM for 30 years.
“Teams need to live within their means and work hard to get funds to manage their teams. If they cannot get money, they should not get involved in the professional league. They should confine themselves to the Semi-Pro or amateur league.
“State FAs also have to come to terms that it is not their right to play in the professional league, but earn their right instead.”
Anthonysamy said although Malaysian football is now in the professional era, gate collections, which used to be a main source of income, has dwindled over the years.
“State FAs and clubs need to address this situation. The foreign players were supposed to bring in the crowds but more often than not, many problems have arisen with the presence of the foreign players and many of them are sub-standard players.”
Asian Football Confederation (AFC) general secretary, Datuk Windsor Paul John, however, felt that the FAM are trying their best, but the State FAs and clubs have to do their bit to help Malaysian football.
“FAM can come out with the best plans and formulas, but the execution part is most important for success and this is where the stakeholders have to stand up and be counted,” said Windsor.
“FAM have a strong vision for Malaysian football, but they need the support of the affiliates to make it happen.
“Maybe some changes need to be made and it is about time Malaysian football got it right after being one of the pioneer FAs in the region to have gone professional.”
Indeed, it is long overdue for the MFL to make its mark and the time has come to get it right once and for all, and make the news for the right reasons.
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