Khalid Ali free to meet TMJ for football's sake

National football legend Khalid Ali may realise his wish to meet Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) president Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, who is also Tunku Mahkota of Johor (TMJ) on improving national football.

FAM secretary-general Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin said if the former 80's player was sincere in contributing ideas on national football, there should be no problem in holding the meeting.

Hamidin said Khalid, who was a key figure in Malaysia's qualification to the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games, might have useful views to give a positive impact to the sport.

"There may be positive impact coming out of the meeting. If Khalid is sincere on improving football in the country, we can hear him out," he told reporters at an Aidilfitri 'open house' at his residence here today.

Hamidin also said Khalid did not need to wait for a reply from TMJ as he could help arrange the meeting.

"Contact me or TMJ's special officer...I can deliver it to TMJ and arrange the meeting," he added.

When contacted by Bernama last week, Khalid said he hoped to meet the TMJ on supporting the latter in developing national football following Harimau Malaya's 1-2 loss to Lebanon in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup Qualifying campaign on June 14 which saw TMJ coming under a barrage of criticisms following the disappointment.

Khalid was commenting on the call by Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) president, Tunku Tun Aminah who wanted TMJ to quit FAM and return to helm JDT but it could snuff out the hopes of millions of local football fans who wanted to see the changes brought by TMJ.

Khalid had proposed to meet Tunku Ismail with former Hairmau Malaya chief coach Datuk K. Rajagobal and Penang coach Zainal Abidin Hassan as well as several national football legends. - BERNAMA