KOTA BARU: Kelantan have denied allegations that they have neglected the welfare of the football team representing the state at the Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Sarawak.
State Youth, Sports, Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) and Community Unity Committee chairman Zamakhshari Muhamad said that since the team had been placed in Category C, all expenses was borne by the Kelantan Football Association (KFA).
He said there are three category of teams as stipulated by the Kelantan State Sports Council (Kelantan SSC), with category A (expenses fully borne by Kelantan SSC); category B (70% of expenses borne by Kelantan SSC); and category C (expenses fully borne by the team).
“So, there is no issue of us neglecting them. In fact, we had prepared the team’s official attire but they left earlier for Sarawak because they had a President’s Cup match against Sabah,” said Zamakhshari.
“That’s why they didn’t have time to take the attire provided and, instead, used their own jerseys.”
The issue went viral on social media, with the Kelantan football team being described as being the poorest side competing at Sukma, with no allowances, no official contingent attire and no other form of aid but still managed to stun Johor Darul Ta’zim II 3-1 in the quarter-finals.
Zamakhshari said that even the Kelantan FA team manager Datuk Azmi Ariffin had issued a statement regarding the misunderstanding and denied allegations of negligence.
“According to Datuk Azmi, the colourful attire won was that of the players because their official attire had been sent to the laundry,” he said.
“He also said that the welfare of the players and officials has been taken care of, allowances paid out each time they won at Sukma and all requirements provided sufficiently throughout the Games.”
He, however, said the state government would fully refund the team’s expenses if they strike gold, adding that should they win either the silver or bronze, then they would be refunded a certain amount. — Bernama
