03/06/2026

SPORTS WEDNESDAY | JUN 3, 2026

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FAM at crossroads Proposed reforms could reshape Malaysian football governance for years to come T HE proposal of 94 articles in the new draft statutes of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) by the Asian years of football administration experi ence and be under the age of 70.

MPL MY plots next evolution THE inaugural season of the partnership era in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League Malaysia (MPL MY) has offered key lessons for the league as it seeks to further strengthen the country’s esports ecosystem. Head of Esports Business Development Malaysia at Moonton Games, Krystal Tan, said the biggest takeaway from the new structure was learning how to work collectively with all eight partnered teams to raise the profile of MPL MY and Malaysian esports at home and abroad. She said the partnership programme was introduced to create a healthier and more stable ecosystem, while ensuring long term consistency in the local competitive gaming scene. “The biggest learning for us is really working with the eight teams and how we bring the best of Malaysia, MPL MY and the country’s esports to all Malaysians and the world. “All eight teams have been truly invested in this partnership programme,” she said during a press conference ahead of the MPL MY Season 17 playoffs at Stadium Juara yesterday. Krystal said teams are still adjusting to the new partnership structure, particularly the double round-robin format, which has made competition more intense. She said teams also recognised the league operator’s investment in production quality, venue setup and promotional efforts to further raise the visibility of participating organisations. “The idea is really to build all eight teams. Instead of just MPL MY being strong, we need all eight teams to work together with us. “That’s the biggest contribution from the eight teams where they see the importance of being part of this ecosystem,” she said. On the playoffs, Krystal said this season is distinct as it is the first to feature all eight partner teams, with the CelcomDigi Dream Stage representing the ultimate destination where the best team will be crowned champion. She said the event is also being expanded into a festival-style experience, in a move to attract not only esports fans but also the wider public. “It’s also the first time for us to run a festival in Stadium Juara. We are expecting fans to see the other parts of esports that are meant for all Malaysians,” she said. – Bernama

Congress last year. However, the position has also caught the attention of Malaysia Paralympic Council (MPM) President Datuk Seri Megat D Shahriman Zaharudin and former national striker Mohd Safee Sali, both of whom have offered to contest, alongside several corporate figures who have also been linked to FAM’s No. 1 seat. Yesterday, Windsor informed a press conference here that the AFC has proposed 94 articles in the new draft of the 2026 FAM statutes, which will be presented at the FAM Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) tomorrow. In January, all FAM Exco members for the 2025-2029 term announced a mass resignation on a collective and voluntary basis. The decision was made unani mously, taking into account organisa tional responsibility without personal interest or position, and was seen as a prudent and principled step following the current situation that has drawn public attention regarding the legacy player issue, as well as to safeguard the integrity of FAM. – Bernama

ing only qualified and integrity-driven individuals lead FAM, without making the election process overly exclusive. Generally, traits often associated with modern football leadership include deep knowledge of local and international football, good relations with global football governing bodies, the ability to cooperate with the gov ernment, and the skill to manage rela tions with various stakeholders – including fans, the media, sponsors, and the community. In addition, communication skills and the ability to shape a positive nar rative regarding national football development are seen as increasingly important in a rapidly evolving modern sports landscape that garners wide spread public attention. The debate over the new leadership criteria has also sparked speculation about individuals who could poten tially lead FAM in the future. Among the names being men tioned is FAM Honorary President Tan Sri Hamidin Mohd Amin, who previ ously led the governing body from 2018 to 2025 before choosing not to defend his post at the FAM Election

Proponents of the reform argue that modern football requires leaders who comprehensively understand the sports ecosystem, including grassroots development, club licensing, relations with Fifa and AFC, as well as managing various stakeholders. However, critics argue that the five year continuous experience require ment could potentially shrink the pool of eligible candidates. Under certain circumstances, indi viduals from the corporate sector, aca demia, public administration, or for mer athletes with excellent leadership records might not meet this criterion, despite being capable of bringing reform to the organisation. The question that arises is not whether integrity needs to be strength ened-that is almost undisputed-but rather how strictly the eligibility crite ria should be tightened without com promising the principles of openness and competition in the election proc ess. In other words, effective reform needs to find a balance between ensur

Football Confederation (AFC) opens up an important debate regarding the direction of the nation’s football gov ernance. According to AFC General Secretary Datuk Seri Windsor Paul John, the reforms include reducing the number of Executive Committee (Exco) members, changing the mem bership structure, empowering the role of professional clubs, and implement ing stricter eligibility criteria for candi dates eyeing top positions in FAM. From a governance standpoint, this move aligns with the practices of the International Federation of Association Football (Fifa), which has long empha sised integrity, transparency, and accountability through background checks, conflict of interest evaluations, and candidate qualifications. Proposals for screening involving integrity and financial aspects are not unusual. Instead, attention is more focused on the requirement that candi dates must possess five consecutive

JMR takes aim at racing giants

FOLLOWING a memorable podium at Bathurst 12 Hour in February, Johor Motorsports Racing (JMR) is gearing up for the “Season of Icons” by confirming its entry in this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, Crowdstrike 24 Hours of Spa and Suzuka 1000. The statement said that next week’s leg endary Le Mans, hailed as the world’s larg est and most prestigious endurance race is the first event to see JMR partnering with TF Sport to line up the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R. JMR owner and racer Tunku Panglima of Johor Tunku Abdul Rahman Sultan Ibrahim will make his first-ever appearance at Le Mans alongside JMR regular Pro driver and fellow Le Mans debutant Ben Green, while talented 23-year old Englishman Lorcan Hanafin will complete the three-man team for what will be his second Le Mans appear ance. “The level we’re racing at now is some thing I’ve envisioned from when I started in 2019, so it’s rewarding to achieve the tar gets and goals we set. “After gaining experience and achieving many successes with Corvette last year, we’re now lining up for the big, iconic endurance races. “I’ve wanted to race at Le Mans since I started racing seven years ago, and I can’t wait to experience such an iconic, challeng ing track,” Tunku Abdul Rahman said in a

statement, yesterday. The statement said the legendary race is as gruelling as it is beautiful; a total of 62 cars across three classes will race around the clock on the 13.6km circuit comprising public roads and purpose-built racetrack, reaching speeds of almost 320kph. Two weeks later, JMR will return to Belgium’s iconic Spa-Francorchamps circuit for the Crowdstrike 24 Hours of Spa with the team successfully completing the noto riously brutal race in 2025 and the aim now is to push for podium contention in the GT3 class. “The four JMR drivers confirmed for Spa all have experience racing the 7km circuit through the night. “Joining Tunku Abdul Rahman and Ben Green in the CorvePe Z06 GT3.R will be Tunku Abu Bakar Sultan Ibrahim and Australian JMR regular driver Jordan Love,” the statement said. JMR’s Season of Icons peaks with a return to Suzuka 1000 on Sept 11-13 after securing two standout podium results there in 2025 (with both the Pro and Pro Am teams finishing on the box), the Malaysian-based race team is hungry for another strong result. “2025 GT World Challenge Asia runner up Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tunku Abu Bakar and Ben Green will helm this year’s Pro-Am team, with further exciting team updates to come,” the statement said. – Bernama across both regions. “Participation in this meeting has undoubt edly provided valuable experience and exposure, and will further strengthen the efforts of the Ministry of Youth and Sports through Adamas. “This is to ensure that sports in Malaysia remain clean, uphold integrity and are free from doping, particularly ahead of the 22nd Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Selangor this August, as well as in preparation to host the 2027 SEA Games,”he said. – Bernama

Johor princes Tunku Abdul Rahman (left) and Tunku Abu Bakar.

Malaysia backs tougher anti-doping standards

MALAYSIA is strengthening its commitment to tackling doping in sports through its participa tion in the 21st Asia/Oceania Intergovernmental Ministerial Meeting on Anti-Doping in Sport in Beijing, China, as preparations continue for the implementation of the 2027 World Anti-Doping Code and the hosting of several major sporting events. Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari said the meeting served as an important platform to enhance regional coop

brought together countries from the Asia and Oceania regions to discuss doping issues in sports ahead of the implementation of the 2027 World Anti-Doping Code, which will come into force on Jan 1 next year,” he said in a post on his official Facebook page yesterday. Mohammed Taufiq said that during the meet ing, he and Anti-Doping Agency of Malaysia (Adamas) director Dr Azril Shazwan Mohd Ali exchanged views and shared best practices with leaders and representatives from countries

eration in addressing doping issues and to ensure that athletes can compete in a fair envi ronment. He said discussions and knowledge-sharing at the meeting were also crucial in ensuring that policies implemented in Malaysia remain aligned with the latest international standards, thereby safeguarding the integrity of the nation’s sports. “Yesterday, I participated in the 21st Asia/Oceania Intergovernmental Ministerial Meeting on Anti-Doping in Sport. The meeting