KUALA LUMPUR: After much drama surrounding the FA of Malaysia (FAM) elections next month, it appears the race for the top post will end in an anti-climax, with no contest expected.
BH Sukan understands that the race for the hot seat may not materialise, as only one candidate has reportedly secured the required six nominations.
FAM vice-president Datuk Joehari Ayub has emerged as the sole contender and is likely to claim the top post unopposed.
Kuala Lumpur FA (KLFA) president Syed Yazid Syed Omar, initially tipped as a challenger, has confirmed he will not run and has pledged his support for Joehari as the next FAM leader.
However, Syed Yazid, an FAM executive committee (exco) member, may contest for a vice-president position in the elections on Feb 15.
Former FAM Head of Marketing and Social Responsibility Sayf Ismail, who had earlier expressed interest in leading the association, criticised the lack of competition.
"If it's true that there will be no contest, we have to accept that democracy seems absent in our football, despite some affiliate members genuinely wanting a change," Sayf told BH Sukan.
"Nonetheless, let's wait for the official announcement from FAM regarding the nomination list," he added.
Currently, only 18 affiliate members are eligible to vote following the suspension of Perlis FA (PFA) and Kelantan FA (KAFA).
For the top position, candidates need six nominations from affiliate members. The deputy president position requires five nominations, vice president four and Exco two.
Meanwhile, sources claim the two deputy president positions, currently held by Datuk Yusoff Mahadi and Datuk S. Sivasundaram, may also be uncontested.