A different ball game in citizenship

Naturally a Malaysian dilemma: Krasniqi is now a Malaysian citizen after his application was fast-tracked. — Photo by FAM

The government seems to have scored an own goal in awarding citizenship to Kosovan footballer Liridon Krasniqi while some 30,000 Malaysia-born citizenship applicants remain stateless.

BEFORE getting to the point of my column this week, let me make it clear that I have been and still am a hard core football fan. Though it’s the wrong season to publicly announce that my team is Arsenal in the English Premier League, I have to do it to clear any doubt that I am anti-football like some. For your information, the Gunners are languishing in the middle of the table, a position that is alien to them.Let me also declare that I am fully aware that many countries naturalise top sports talents in a bid to perform better and win medals in international sports meets, including the Olympics. Although it is not widespread, the issue is discussed in many countries.