Kedah owner admits all’s not well, financially, at the club

PETALING JAYA: All is not well in the Kedah camp and their owner has acknowledged the financial crisis at the club.

There were reports earlier that the Canaries’ players have not been paid two months’ wages which their owner Tan Sri Dr Mohd Daud Bakar has confirmed.

He said that half of August’s wages have been paid and the remainder will be settled by Nov 7. Daud hopes to settle the September salaries by next month.

He admitted that the club have cash flow issues and some of their sponsors have financial issues to deal with.

“As the majority stakeholder representing the higher management, I would like to apologise to coach Nafuzi Zain (pic), his staff, the players and their families for the financial situation. To be precise, it’s the cash flow that’s affecting the club.

“There is a salary delay and it has led to the team’s underperformance. I also want to apologise to the fans.

“I take full responsibility as owner of the team.

“Nafuzi is going through a tough situation especially when it comes to motivating the players.

Kamal Idris Ali (club chief executive officer) is doing a lot of things to satisfy the stakeholders. ‘’Many behind-the-scenes work are being done, which many do not know.

“I will work hard to get things flowing again. We will look for funds. We are looking for sponsors and people who would like to buy shares of the club.

“This is a tough time. We need a new resolution.”

Despite the sordid news, the Kedah team showed resilience by beating Negri Sembilan 3-0 in their Super League match at the Darulaman Stadium in Alor Setar yesterday.

Filipino midfielder Manuel Ott (14th minute), Tajikistani midfielder Amirbek Juraboev (16th) and Nigerian striker Ifedayo Olusegun (57th) scored for the Canaries.

Kedah remain third in the league with 50 points, just two points behind second placed Selangor.