FAS backs TMJ to head FAM - Subahan

According to Football Association of Selangor (FAS) president Datuk Subahan Kamal, the FAS would "100 per cent" vote for Tunku Ismail as the new FAM president.

He said Tunku Ismail was the right candidate as he was still young and courageous in fighting for football, proven through his success of running the Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) football club.

However, he did not underestimate the advantages of Tan Sri Annuar Musa, the other candidate competing for the hot seat.

"Selangor, indeed supports TMJ (Tunku Ismail) for president, (nevertheless) both candidates running for president are experienced in terms of managing football.

"Both have their strengths, we cannot underestimate them. Both are icons in football, as Tan Sri (Annuar Musa) has raised the level of football in Kelantan and TMJ has changed the footballing landscape in the blink of an eye.

Subahan, who is also Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) president, was speaking to reporters after chairing a meeting with the secretaries of state hockey associations at the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) headquarters here Sunday.

He said his support for Tunku Ismail was not out of personal interest but he was confident the JDT owner could change the country's footballing landscape.

In the meantime, Subahan, who is also nominated for the post of FAM deputy president, promised not to accept any allowances from the body, and said he would instead, strive to raise more funds for the sport.

He said the candidates elected to posts in FAM must dare to speak up for the interests and welfare of state football associations.

"I'm not going to be a 'yes man' and will make sure the welfare of state associations is maintained...everyone needs to know that there would be no FAM without its affiliates.

"Previously in FAM, everyone waited for the president to do the work, (but) this needs to be changed...the deputy president, vice-president should also work and look for funding. If you want a seat in FAM, you need to work and raise money. I can look for funds and assist the president in strengthing FAM," he said.