Annuar prefers to remain calm before the storm

Annuar said his decision to stay tight-lipped and calm was to ensure the election for office bearers (2017-2021 term) during the FAM's 53rd Congress on March 25 to progress smoothly.

Annuar in his Facebook entry said his duration of silence will ensure a harmonious election process that is clean, with integrity, open, sportsmanship and without any form of bribery.

"This is why I do not want to make any statements for at least two weeks because I want to perform the Umrah. I am glad that the FAM will be helmed by people who are really involved in football instead of a proxy.

"All candidates have a track record for their involvement in football activities and that will be a positive development for football in the country," he said.

Annuar who had accepted his candidacy on Feb 6, will be involved in a straight fight against Tunku Ismail who accepted the challenge on Monday.

FAM secretary-general Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin who made the announcement had said two other candidates tipped for the post, Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin and former Home Ministry secretary-general Tan Sri Aseh Che Mat, did not confirm their candidacy.

Annuar said managing the National governing body for football was not like managing the state football association because the president would require the support and cooperation of all stakeholders.

He said FAM was not just about the National team or ranking, but is also responsible for development of futsal, women's football, beach football, M-League, Community League, Technical development, coaching development, referees, fan clubs, sponsors and many other areas.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal is said to be among four candidates vying for the post of two Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) deputy presidents.

Three others who have confirmed their candidacy are Perlis Football Association (PFA) president Datuk Rozabil Abdul Rahman, one of the incumbents Datuk Seri Afandi Hamzah (the other being Datuk Mokhtar Ahmad) and Melaka United Football Association deputy president Datuk Wira Mohd Yusoff Mahadi.

Apart from the four, FAM secretary-general Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin and three others were also nominated for the posts of deputy president but only the four accepted their nominations.

For the posts of four vice presidents, nine candidates were confirmed from the 21 nominations and for the posts of 10 exco members, 17 candidates confirmed their candidacy from the 30 nominations. In the race for a women exco, seven candidates have entered the contest, said Hamidin yesterday.