Khairy-led delegation to meet minister

SPORTS Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob will meet a delegation lead by FAM deputy president Khairy Jamaluddin today at the Sports Ministry in Putrajaya to thrash out the ills plaguing Malaysian football. It is learnt that FAM, among other things, will propose a structured development programme, request for a youth director, the Sports Ministry to absorb some of the national teams especially at the youth level, the usage of sports science experts, to base some youth players and teams in Europe and to revive the football academy. FAM will also be seeking a minimum of RM18 million a year to implement the programmes. "We are not going to give away the money without any targets," said Ismail Sabri. "We also have to be fair to other sports. Of course football is a national agenda, but we must also be very realistic as far as money is concerned. "Whilst we want to help FAM we must also look at the realities that are facing us, we must look at the structure and see if we have enough resources to help," he added. When Ismail Sabri met the 72 former internationals on Monday, many requested for a change in the state FAs and even within FAM. They even said that they are willing to conduct clinics and work with the Sports Ministry in the area of development. Former international Khaidir Buyong said: "There is no technical people involved in the youth committee, even technical committee, most of them are all administrators. What is the point when even we are not included in the committees." As far as resources are concerned, the question remains, will FAM listen to and agree to the suggestions made by the Sports Ministry. "They should listen to what we have to say and what we have found out from our discussion with the former internationals whose experience cannot be overlooked. There are numerous issues plaguing Malaysian football," said Ismail Sabri.