Ismail Sabri okays ex-internationals

SPORTS Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob is expected to face resistance but he is set to appoint former internationals into the several committees that are to be formed as part of the plan to save Malaysian football. Ismail Sabri has already informed the FA of Malaysia of his intention via the delegation led by deputy president Khairy Jamaluddin on Thursday. Some quarters are said to be unhappy with the move but Ismail Sabri has a word of consolation for them - he is aware that some former internationals may be in for personal gain. "I have identified a few areas where we can utilise the ex-internationals. Basically, we want more footballers to be involved in the game and I will be meeting them again soon," said Ismail Sabri. "We will be setting up several committees within the ministry to oversee football's progress and the ex-internationals can help us and FAM." But he warned the ex-internationals that he will not tolerate individuals who are only looking for their own gain. "We only want people who are sincere in bringing success to football. If some people think that they can be part of the committee and then seek contracts, I think they have come to the wrong place. "Every proposal will be carefully studied before they are implemented." Ismail Sabri also stressed the government is not interfering in FAM. "We are only assisting FAM in development. We are not taking over anything from them, even though we will be managing the Young Tigers. "At the end of the day, it will FAM's call as to which tournaments they will compete in and who will be heading the team." The community league which was mooted by the former Sports Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said is expected to kick off next month. Football will be played in 220 constituencies for a period of three months before an inter-district competition takes place. "At the state assembly level, the respective committees will manage the leagues and the state FA's will only get involved when the league moves into the district competition mode. "This will help us to save some cost as we don't want to be paying RM70,000 for match officials."