KUALA LUMPUR: The battle for key positions in the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) for the 2025-2029 term is expected to be fiercely contested today, despite the top two posts remaining uncontested.
All eyes will be on national football legends Datuk Dollah Salleh and Datuk Zainal Abidin Hassan, who are among the candidates in the running.
Dollah, 61, will be up against four other contenders for the vice-president’s post, incumbent Datuk Seri Rosmadi Ismail, former executive committee (exco) member N. Saaran, Datuk Mohd Azhar Jamaluddin and Syed Yazid Syed Omar.
Zainal, meanwhile, faces a tough challenge as 15 candidates are vying for exco seats.
Dollah had initially also contested an exco seat alongside Christopher Raj, but both have since withdrawn.
“If I’m elected, I’ll give my best to contribute. If not, then perhaps it’s just not my time.
“We leave it to the affiliates to decide,” said Dollah.
Dollah not only boasts extensive experience as a player but also has an impressive track record as a coach and manager in the Malaysian league.
He is currently the team manager of Pahang and recently guided the team to the Malaysia Cup final for the first time in 11 years.
Zainal, meanwhile, is equally well-versed in the local football scene, having been involved since 1980.
He is now active as a football pundit, providing insights and analysis on Malaysian league matches.
Earlier, Datuk Mohd Joehari Mohd Ayub, who previously served as an FAM vice-president, won the presidency uncontested after incumbent Tan Sri Hamidin Mohd Amin chose not to defend his position.
Joehari will become FAM’s eighth president since its establishment in 1951 and the first from Sabah.
Meanwhile, Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mahadi and Datuk S. Sivasundaram have retained their positions as deputy presidents.
