Sharing his thoughts on the upcoming election for the post of FAM president which will take place at next month’s FAM congress, Tunku Ismail, popularly referred to as TMJ, said he didn’t think much of his chances.
“I don’t have a chance against politicians. I think Khairy or his proxy will win.
“However, the difference between us is that they need the money, (take) the position, and then kill your dreams. I have the resources to fulfill your dreams,” Tunku Ismail said in a posting on the Johor Southern Tigers Facebook page today.
The 51st FAM congress, which will be held on March 25, will see the election of main office bearers for the national governing body for football.
The main contest, however, will be for the post of president with Tunku Ismail, Khairy, former Putrajaya Corp president Aseh Che Mat and former Kelantan FA president Annuar Musa vying for the post.
It is not the first time that Tunku Ismail has spoken up against politicians playing a role in FAM.
In a question-and-answer session with fans of the Johor Darul Takzim (JDT) football club, posted on the same FB page on Jan 31, Tunku Ismail said he did not want the post of FAM president to fall into the hands of anyone with political ambitions or political ties of any sort.
“Whoever wants to be the president must be someone without any political ties because it can be misused, that’s all. It has to be an individual who can serve exclusively for football,” the JDT club owner said.
Tunku Ismail said such a situation would not be helpful to the state of the game in the country.
“It is sad to see that we have to fight our governing body and a few individuals just to save football,” he said.
In a parting shot, Tunku Ismail advised football fans to take heed of something that a former general from the Indian Army had once told him.
“Never underestimate the power of a politician who is desperate, willing to do or say anything to keep their job as they will manipulate the innocent minds for their own personal interest,” Tunku Ismail said, quoting the general.