KUALA LUMPUR: Former Football Coaches Association of Malaysia vice president Dr Zulakbal Abd Karim is hoping big name teams such as Perak FC and Sri Pahang FC will be saved.
Dr Zulakbal said the M-League will lose its shine without teams of such calibre in its fixtures.
Perak have already announced that they are withdrawing from the Super League next season while Sri Pahang’s future remains a mystery.
“The season has already ended and yet we still do not know which teams will be competing next season.
I believe this is bad for football in the country,” said Dr Zulakbal today (April 29).
“If these teams are gone, the league can still continue but it will lose its shine. These are teams which have traditionally produced players for the national team.
“I hope there will be parties who step forward at the last minute and help these teams. In Perak there are companies, wealthy individuals and also politicians who are capable of helping.
“We do not want to see big name teams such as this biting the dust as has happened to a number of teams previously.”
Kelantan FC, Melaka United and Sarawak United are among the teams who have disappeared from the M-League in the past due to financial woes.
The fate of other clubs such as Kedah Darul Aman FC and Kelantan Darul Naim FC for next season also remain unclear.
The deadline for national licensing application ends tomorrow, after which the independent First Instance Body (FIB) will determine which clubs are eligible to receive the license and subsequently compete in the Super League next season.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
