
KUALA LUMPUR: As a national footballer in the 1980s, the fleet-footed striker, Datuk Dollah Salleh, thrilled fans with his dazzling play for the national team. Now he is making his dribble for a vice president's post in the FA of Malaysia (FAM).
Dollah, who used to have TV commentators excitedly shouting "mengelecek bola" when he took on teams like South Korea, will, for the first time, make a bid for a seat in the FAM boardroom.
He will contest for a vice president's post in the new leadership for the 2025–2029 term at the FAM congress-cum-elections on Feb 15.
Dollah's fans are excited too. They hope he will be able to help revitalise the long suffering national team with his experience and ideas.
It is apparent that Dollah wants to have a bigger voice in helping Malaysian football as he had declined a nomination for an FAM executive committee position, but rather focus solely on his bid for a vice president's post.
And Dollah will also avoid competing against his bestie, fellow football legend Datuk Zainal Abidin Hassan, who has been nominated for an exco seat.
Dollah said initially, he was surprised at being nominated for two positions in his first-ever foray into FAM elections.
"I was genuinely surprised to see my name listed for two positions. It appears that there's strong support behind me to receive nominations for both.
"However, I've decided to stay focused on my original intention, which is to contest for the vice president role. That's been my plan from the start, so I have to decline the exco nomination," said Dollah.
"If I'm elected, I will give my all to help. If not, perhaps it's just not my time. I leave the decision to the members of the association to choose the best candidates," he said.
In the race for the four vice president posts, Dollah will compete against Datuk Seri Rosmadi Ismail, N. Saaran, Syed Yazid Syed Omar and Datuk Azhar Jamaluddin.