The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) President Sultan Ahmad Shah today announced his decision to withdraw from the contest the FAM President's post at the FAM Congress today.

Sultan Ahmad Shah ( right ) who has been at the helm of the FAM for 30 years since taking over from Hamzah Abu Samah in 1984, cited age as the main reason for his decision.

Admitting that 30 years at the helm of the FAM was a long time, Sultan Ahmad Shah said his decision would pave the way for younger leaders to take over although he has done everything in his powers to ensure football in the country remained at the optimum level.

"My desire and hope to continue remains intact but the same cannot be said of my age. The fact remains that football in the country need new blood.

"Considering these elements and factors, I have decided to withdraw from the contest," he said in his speech when opening the congress at a leading hotel, here today.

    

According to Sultan Ahmad Shah, 83, FAM need a new 'field' of leaders to ensure the direction of football in the country remains dynamic.

The incumbent president's decision to withdraw will see a straight fight for the post between his son Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah who is now the Deputy President and the Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, the Johor Football Association president.

The winner will be decided by votes from 39 delegates – the 14 state FAs will cast two votes each (28 votes), together with Armed Forces (2), Police (2), Malaysian Malays (2), Malaysian Chinese FA (2), Malaysian Indian Sports Council (2) and Malaysian Coaches Association (1).

The post of deputy president is expected to be a three-cornered fight between vice-presidents Subahan Kamal and Datuk Seri Afandi Hamzah, and Selangor FA deputy president Abdul Mokhtar Ahmad.

- Bernama