Meanwhile...

It was only a matter of time before debates in Parliament caught up with the Malaysian football 'crisis'

Dewan Negara: 'Football officials have lost the plot'

A SENATOR has joined the chorus of criticism against the Football Association of Malaysia, holding it responsible for the pathetic state of Malaysian football.

Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi suggested that the FAM leadership meet the national women’s team on the field and if the FAM side lost, all should resign.

He raised this issue while asking a supplementary question about the Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry’s 50th Merdeka celebration.

"If FAM officials lose, it is best they all give up their positions and move on. This way, better candidates can take over."

Puad said that he was not in the habit of picking on people but football was in a state of shambles and could no longer play a role in uniting Malaysians.
"It used to unite Malaysians, irrespective of race, religion, colour, age or station in life. Now that is over."

Puad said one of the reasons for the national team’s dismal performance, apart from poor leadership, was a lack of patriotism and competitive spirit among the players.

"In the early days of independence, sheer patriotism drove us to great heights," he said.

The situation had reached such pathetic levels that even the long-suffering public had given up.

He called on the Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry to produce a documentary chronicling the success of the national teams over the decades.

"This should inspire the current crop of players to improve their game," Puad added.

Deputy Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Wong Kam Hoong said the nation’s achievement in the sporting arena should not be confined to a single sport.

Wong said Malaysians excelled in squash, badminton and bowling and the achievements were a source of pride for the country.

"We are making waves and some of the players are world champions," he said trying to play down football’s failure.

Puad later said he was articulating the frustration of the football-loving public.

Football received a huge grant but those in charge were unable to produce results, leaving fans frustrated.
Taken from the New Straits Times