Indications point to TMJ as possible candidate for post of FAM president

There is every indication that the Tunku Mahkota of Johor (TMJ), Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim may accept nominations for the post of Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) president.

A photograph uploaded in the official Facebook of Johor Darul Ta'zim ('Johor Southern Tigers') today indicated that former JDT head coach Mario Gomez would be signed as the new National coach.

"TMJ was pictured with future National coach Mario Gomez, wishing the JDT team that face Gamba Osaka from Japan in the Asian Champions League playoff today, good luck," according to the status of the Facebook posting as at 4.10pm.

That could be an indication that TMJ is planning for a strategic partnership if he 'sits' on the 'hot seat' vacated by Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah once the dust settles at the FAM congress.

Yesterday, there was another strong indication as TMJ had received the blessing and consent of his father, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, the Sultan of Johor, to spearhead the FAM and change the landscape of Malaysian football.

Under Mario Gomez, the former JDT head coach, the team fondly known as 'Southern Tigers' had created history in Malaysian football by winning the AFC Cup in 2015 and winning numerous accolades on home soil.

Meanwhile, embattled Kelantan Football Association (KAFA) advisor Tan Sri Annuar Musa became the first candidate to enter the race for the post of FAM president (2017-2021 term), after accepting a nomination form FAM secretary-general Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin.

Hamidin when contacted by Bernama today said the confirmation for three other candidates, Tunku Ismail, Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin and Tan Sri Aseh Che Mat was in the process.

"I hope everyone will be calm and wait for Feb 13," he said.

Nominations for the FAM presidency will close on Feb 13 and affiliated bodies are expected to cast their votes on March 25.

On Jan 26, Khairy was quoted as saying he would withdraw from the race, if Tunku Ismail decides to contest for the post of president.

The 53rd Congress is expected to be held on 25 March 2017 where a new line-up will take helm from the role of the President of FAM all the way down to the executive committee (Exco) members of the body. -- BERNAMA