Tunku Ismail will transform Malaysian football - PBNS president

FA of Negeri Sembilan (PBNS) president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said he is confident that Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim will transform Malaysian football.

The Menteri Besar of Negeri Sembilan said his confidence was based on the track record of Tunku Ismail in transforming Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) into a household name in Asia.

"I am certain we are in for great things with Tunku Ismail at the helm of the FA of Malaysia. I as the president of PBNS and PBNS as an affifiate of FAM will give our wholehearted support to FAM and Tunku Ismail. Congratulations and best of luck," he told reporters after attending a Negeri Sembilan Hockey Association function here today.

Tunku Ismail won the FAM presidency unopposed after his challenger Ketereh MP Tan Sri Annuar Musa, who is also FA of Kelantan advisor, withdrew his candidacy at the last minute.

FAM will be holding its 53rd congress and elections in Petaling Jaya tomorrow.

In JOHOR BAHRU, the "Father of Johor Football" Datuk Suleiman Mohd Noor said Tunku Ismail's leadership was what Malaysian football needed now.

The former FA of Johor deputy president said Tunku Ismail had proven himself to be a football visionary after what he had done for JDT and was confident that he would do the same for national football.

"Many are qualified to be FAM president but none as qualified as Tunku Ismail," he told reporters here.

Meanwhile, JDT captain Safiq Rahim, who retired from national dutry on July last year, said he did not rule out the possibility of donning the national jersey again now that Tunku Ismail had become FAM presdent.

-- BERNAMA