Mohd Saifuddin new FAM sec-gen

FORMER Oman Professional League Technical Consultant Mohd Saifuddin Abu Bakar has been appointed as the new secretary-general of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) effective Sept 1.

FAM is optimistic that the appointment of Mohd Saifuddin, 60, who has extensive experience at the domestic and international levels, apart from his background and qualifications, will benefit the country's football governing body.

"Mohd Saifuddin can take FAM to a higher level while fulfilling the aspirations of stakeholders," said FAM in a statement today.

Mohd Saifuddin first ventured into the field of football governance as the Technical and Youth Development Officer of the Selangor Football Association (FAS) in 1991 before joining FAM from 1993 to 2004 with his last position as Head of the FAM Competitions Department.

He then joined the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for three years as a competition official, before returning to FAM in 2007 where he was appointed assistant secretary-general.

In 2009, Mohd Saifuddin resigned from the post and served as the Assistant Head of the Qatar Stars League Competition Division until 2012 and then migrated to Oman with the scope of duties as the National League Competition and Licensing manager until 2019.

Mohd Saifuddin is also a match commissioner for FIFA and AFC.

His appointment as the new FAM secretary-general follows the vacancy left behind by Stuart Ramalingam who was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysian Football League (MFL) last Monday.

-- BERNAMA