Spend within your means, TMJ tells local football clubs

Tunku Mahkota of Johor, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim advised local football clubs to spend within their means and to not amass debts.

In a dialogue session posted on the Johor Southern Tigers Facebook page, the crown prince also said that the funds should come from sponsors with companies and businesses.

“When you have RM10 million, you shouldn't spend RM15 million.

“When you do this, you will be forced to amass a debt and then you have to meet with (Prime Minister) Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to request for money. I know which club did that and there's even a club from the east coast recently who asked for RM2 million from the government.

“I will publicly say this. To the Prime Minister, don't bother with those requests because the government's money are the people's money that is to be used for healthcare, education and all civil matters, not for football,” he said.

He explained that the funding for his football team - Johor Darul Ta'zim Football Club (JDT) - is amassed from sponsors and foreign investors in the state.

He advise other football clubs to not overspend when it comes to their budgeting.

“My advice to the other clubs is, if you have RM10 and you only spend RM5 and keep the balance.

“You should not have RM10 but ending up spending RM15 as you would be in debt. If you can't buy a Ferrari, please buy a Toyota,” he said.

TMJ also admitted that his club will be getting lesser funding in 2017 as compared to this year.

The team may be able to have one or two foreign players to ensure the club does not go in debt or hit financial crisis.

“Even if we're not strong or don't win, it doesn't matter because this is football. There are times you will win, and times you will lose.

“We cannot win all the time. There will be defeats,” he said.