"I didn't give up PBNJ presidency to become FAM president" - TMJ

When met by journalists and fans at the Tan Sri Hassan Yunos Stadium here Thursday, Tunku Ismail stressed that he had no intention of taking over the president's post from Tunku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah but instead keen to focus on his role as the Royal Patron of PBNJ.

"There have been claims recently that Tunku Ismail had vacated the PBNJ post as he aspired to become the FAM president. I have repeatedly said that I do not want to become the FAM president," said Tunku Ismail who revealed that there were people in the FAM who wanted him to take over the president's post.

Tunku Ismail who took up the role of Royal Patron upon the request of his father, the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar, said his main focus now was to assist new PBNJ President Datuk Ismail Karim in the development of football in Johor.

"My decision to vacate the post of PBNJ president was to show that I sincerely want to help in the development of football even if I am not the president.

Tunku Ismail said he would ensure all plans tabled in the past, including building a new stadium in Nusajaya and the setting up of a football academy in Kulaijaya, are carried out successfully in about five years time.