Cabinet red-cards ministers in football match

Two ministers were poised to do battle to become the president of the Kuala Lumpur Football Association (KLFA).

However, the cabinet has shown them both the red card.

Earlier, the cabinet decided that ministers and deputy ministers cannot contest for posts in sports associations.

Following this, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad announced that he is withdrawing from contesting the KLFA top post.

Last week, it was reported that Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil would be also running for the post. He too is now barred from contesting and has also announced his withdrawal from running for the post.

“I will continue being committed to supporting KLFA in developing a healthy football ecosystem and also KL City FC as a professional football club,” Nik Nazmi (above, right) posted on X.

The minister said he would continue to be the patron of the Setiawangsa Rangers football club, one of the KLFA-affiliated clubs, which he founded in 2018.

Previously, Fahmi had also named Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s political aide Azman Abidin as his teammate, stating that the latter would vie for the secretary’s post.

Reluctant sportspersons

On Aug 23, former youth and sports minister Khairy Jamaluddin said sportspersons are reluctant to head these associations for fear of being put in charge of raising funds.

“They (sportspersons) feel unequipped (for such tasks).

“And that’s why they like being under either a big corporate figure or politician or ex-politician who would be more used to raising that kind of money for the sports association,” he was quoted as saying.

Fahmi withdraws

Fahmi has also confirmed that he is withdrawing from the KLFA presidency race in line with the cabinet directive.

“Like Nik Nazmi, I’m also withdrawing (from the race) immediately,” the Lembah Pantai MP said.

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