Mohd Sadek Mustafa, a senior lecturer at UiTM Shah Alam’s Faculty of Sports and Recreation Science, emphasized the significant implications of supporter presence at stadiums, especially regarding national tournaments like the upcoming Pestabola Merdeka 2024.
He urged the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) to engage with supporters, particularly the influential Ultras Malaya, to cancel the boycott campaign against the tournament.
“This tournament also involves the dignity of national football in addition to the impact on the economy such as sponsorship and the downstream economy including the sale of jerseys and souvenir items, all of which will be related.” Sadek said with BH.
“The issue brought by the Ultras is about the leadership in FAM in addition to several other matters including the resignation of Kim Pan Gon. So FAM has to humble itself and meet with the Ultras of Malaya.
“I think right now Datuk Hamidin and FAM want to pull the hair in the flour so that the hair does not break, the flour does not scatter. That requires great leadership qualities.
“Not only Ultras Malaya, but FAM also has to persuade supporter groups or ultras from other states to ensure Malaya Tigers get the support of the 12th player.
“If it’s near Europe, when the national team is in action, they don’t allow the stadium to be empty and their fans still show support because of the implications for the image,”
In response, Hamidin has expressed willingness to meet with supporter groups for clarification and resolution. Pestabola Merdeka 2024, set to begin this Wednesday at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, features national teams from the Philippines, Lebanon, and Tajikistan. Malaysia will face the Philippines, with the winners advancing to the final this Sunday.
The tournament, which also includes the national teams of the Philippines, Lebanon and Tajikistan, is however only a day away before the first action starts this Wednesday at the National Stadium, Bukit Jalil.
Malaysia was drawn against the Philippines while Lebanon faced Tajikistan with the winner of the match advancing to the final which will take place this Sunday.
Credit Photo : HongZheng Lim/SNE-Photo
