KUALA LUMPUR: Regent of Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, the visionary owner of Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT), has captured national and international interest following his recent high-profile visit to Doha, Qatar.
The trip saw Tunku Mahkota Ismail engaging with some of the biggest names in global football and sports administration.
This includes Nasser Al-Khelaifi, who is Qatar Sports Investments Chairman and Paris Saint-Germain FC President, FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Qatar Sports Minister, His Excellency Sheikh Hamad Khalifa Ahmed Al Thani.
Tunku Mahkota Ismail also shared moments with football legends Andrea Pirlo and Roberto Carlos, further solidifying his stature in the world of football.
Tunku Mahkota Ismail encapsulated the significance of his trip in a 48-second video shared on his social media channels, captioned: "Lead with vision, fight with passion and leave a legacy that inspires generations. #legacy #bigthings #johor #qatar #jdt #psg."
The post has sparked excitement among Malaysian football fans, many of whom are eagerly anticipating further announcements regarding the much-anticipated Harimau Malaya project.
The initiative is believed to be an extension of the Football Association of Malaysia's (FAM) National Team Committee and aims to elevate Malaysia's footballing standards to new heights.
Tunku Mahkota Ismail has already set the wheels in motion with strategic appointments.
Former assistant to Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou, Peter Cklamovski, has been confirmed as the new head coach of the senior national team, replacing Spaniard Pau Marti Vicente.
Meanwhile, former Terengganu and Kedah Darul Aman coach Nafuzi Zain will take charge of the Under-23 squad.
The objective is to secure qualification for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup and significantly improve Malaysia's Fifa world ranking which is currently at No. 132.
With Tunku Mahkota Ismail's proven track record - he has transformed JDT into a Southeast Asian powerhouse — fans are optimistic that his influence will bring much needed change to the national team.