Dear Tengku Amir and YAB Amirudin
FIRST and foremost, allow me to offer my heartiest congratulations to the Raja Muda Selangor, Tengku Amir Shah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, for His Royal Highness appointment as the President of the Football Association of Selangor (FAS).
His Royal Highness is the the 15th President of the FAS since the association’s inception in 1949.
Tengku Amir follows the footsteps of his father, Duli Yang Maha Mulia Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, who was also FAS President in 2000. At that point in time, DYMM Sultan Sharafuddin was the Raja Muda then.
With this development, football in Selangor will be given a fresh breath of air, especially when Tengku Amir will join hands with another young leader in the state, Yang Amat Berhormat Amirudin Shari, the new Menteri Besar.
The combination of Tengku Amir Shah and YAB Amirudin will provide a fresh impetus and add a new dimension to Selangor football.
Their combined efforts, with new innovative ideas, will help ensure Selangor football emerge from its slumber and indifference.
It must be noted that Tengku Amir has urged all those who are associated with FAS, together with the fans, to think long term, and to place the process of rebuilding football in the state as a matter of priority. This is to help ensure a brighter and successful future.
I agree with the proposal from Tengku Amir that the FAS president do not hold office for more than two terms. But let me pose a simple question as food for thought – what if the president provides effective leadership, has a clear vision and produces results?
Apart from suggesting that the FAS constitution be amended to enable the President to have executive powers, and sufficient authority be given to those heading the various portfolios, Tengku Amir has also urged everyone to ensure that transparency and financial sustainability be given priority.
Selangor football should be the beacon for modernizing local football.
As a footballing giant from the 1920s, and rising to its peak in the 70s and 80s, FAS should be the example and model for football administration for others to emulate.
In this regard, it is unfortunate that FAS fall behind Kelantan and Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT). They not only succeeded in re-branding their teams, but were also able to strengthen the commercial aspect of their operations and improving their income.
The leadership of FAS has not reflected Selangor’s successes of a record 33 Malaysia Cup titles. Selangor were also the first team to have represented Malaysia at the Asian League of Champions, and later the Asian Football Confederation championship.
As a state which has a big number of successful individuals, it would be a waste if these individuals and their ideas are not utilized to the full and be given roles in the new FAS under this new partnership.
I also wish to welcome the decision by YAB Amirudin to allow the state team to play at the Shah Alam Stadium as their home stadium. This is only right. The Shah Alam Stadium is synonymous with the state team and has plenty of successful and fond memories.
I hope the FAS will work closely with the stadium’s management to make it the football icon or symbol of football in Selangor.
I wish the FAS can follow the footsteps of JDT by acquiring land with sufficient acreage to be developed as FAS headquarters and a training ground with full facilities for Selangor football, thus freeing it from having to depend on others.
A proper and complete infrastructure will be the key to future successes, especially when Tengku Amir has declared his intention to bring the Selangor team to the international arena.
Apart from having an infrastructure that meets with international standards, the facilities can be a strong platform to develop football with sufficient human resource support that can restore the pride and glory of Selangor football.
It must be noted that the combination of the two Amirs – Tengku Amir and YAB Amir – is a significant partnership of shared visions. The experience of YAB Amir as the exco for Sports, Culture and Entrepreneurial Development is very useful in efforts to take this elite state team to be among the best, if not the best, in the country. YAB Amir’s exposure to the internal politics of a top sports association will also be beneficial in the long run.
It is my fervent hope that the combination of the two young leaders will not only help revitalize the FAS, but will ensure football in Selangor be developed in a systematic way at all levels and grow in stature and success on and off the field.
Thank you.
Yours faithfully,
Mohd Fariq
