KUALA LUMPUR: Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh is hoping to see the national football squad improve its performances under their new head coach.
The FA of Malaysia (FAM) yesterday (Dec 16) announced the appointment of Australian Peter Cklamovski as a permanent replacement for South Korean Kim Pan Gon, who left in July. Spaniard Pau Marti Vicente is now guiding the team in the interim until the completion of Malaysia's campaign in the Asean Cup.
Yeoh said she believes FAM have followed various processes to secure the best man for the job.
"FAM have their own (coaching) committee and the decision to select this coach was looked over in detail by them (FAM)," said Yeoh today (Dec 17).
"I am confident that this coach (Cklamovski) has gone through a number of processes, discussions and also interviews with FAM.
"I wish the new coach all the best and would also like to thank the old coach for helping Harimau Malaya a lot in the past.
"With this new coach as well as the new funds which the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) announced, I am hoping Harimau Malaya's performances will continue to improve."
Anwar had announced an RM15 million allocation for the national senior team as well as the national under-18 and under-13 squads under the national budget in October.
The allocation is meant to be used to strengthen the panel of coaches for these squads.
Yeoh was speaking after officiating the handover ceremony for the Taman Jinjang Baru basketball court in Kepong today.
The court has been upgraded at a cost of RM499,000 and has received a new roof, posts and court surface. A jogging path is also being built around the court.
The project was funded using funds from the Youth and Sports Ministry from their 2023 budget. The ministry had last year announced that it will spend RM1 million to upgrade facilities in each state, subject to approval.
Kepong member of Parliament Lim Lip Eng was also present during the handover.