KUALA LUMPUR: Football critic Datuk Richard Scully believes that Malaysia's football future hinges on the vision of Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.
He said the success of Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) is living proof of Tunku Mahkota Ismail's transformative impact on the sport.
"TMJ is the only bold soul brave enough to push Malaysian football to heights it has never seen before.
"JDT's infrastructure, the players and the results are already an excellent report card. While some may harbour jealousy, the reality is that what he has done for Malaysian football is extraordinary."
Richard said that it isn't just about financial power. "It's about desire, belief, and determination. We must remember he is human, with emotions, and deserves respect and support. Instead of criticising him, we should wish him the best," said Richard.
The former Penang and Perlis head coach lauded Tunku Mahkota Ismail's ongoing efforts to elevate Malaysian football, particularly through the Harimau Malaya project. He urged critics to focus on the bigger picture, which he believes signals a brighter future for the sport here.
"The appointments that Tunku Mahkota Ismail has made, such as national senior head coach Peter Cklamovski, Under-23 head coach Nafuzi Zain, Harimau Malaya CEO Rob Friend and high-performance expert Dr Craig Duncan, are very promising. Their credentials are strong, and their knowledge can greatly benefit Malaysian football."
He hopes these foreign experts will impart valuable knowledge to local professionals, particularly in areas like high performance and sports medicine.
"Locals working with these experts, especially those at the National Sports Institute, must seize the opportunity to learn. These individuals are specialists in their fields, and this collaboration can foster a healthy learning culture," said Richard.
Beyond individual development, Richard believes Tunku Mahkota Ismail's initiatives could transform the entire football ecosystem.
"It's not just about minor improvements, this is about creating a sustainable, forward-thinking system. We need to embrace a positive mindset rather than nitpicking," said Richard.
He also stressed the importance of accountability to ensure the Harimau Malaya project stays on track. "There must be a system of checks and balances. Like everyone else, I'm eager to see how these developments unfold and what they mean for Malaysian football's future," said Richard.