Who will FAM affiliates choose?

Malaysia’s football governing body now faces a two-way contest. Affiliates of the Football Association of Malaysia, or FAM, must choose between Malaysia Football League president Datuk Ab Ghani Hassan and Selangor Football Association deputy president Datuk Seri Shahril Mokhtar.

The race took shape after FAM’s honorary president, Tan Sri Hamidin Mohd Amin, was left off the list of candidates released the previous day. His absence cleared the way for Ab Ghani and Shahril to compete for leadership of the country’s football administration.

Ab Ghani offers extensive experience in professional football management. He joined the Malaysia Football League’s management structure in 2019, later becoming its chief executive officer and then its president. A former footballer, he also worked in the corporate sector before focusing on sports administration, giving him experience both on the field and inside the game’s management system.

Shahril combines a corporate background with experience in state and national football administration. Alongside his role as FAS deputy president, he has served as an FAM executive committee member and handled portfolios linked to sponsorship and marketing.

His campaign focuses more directly on change and reform. Shahril has described himself as an underdog, but says his new vision and approach can win the confidence of FAM affiliates. “I am offering myself as a candidate who will dare to make difficult decisions for the long-term good of Malaysian football. An AFC report confirms that FAM is now at its lowest point. The old leadership and management approach has clearly failed and will not take us forward. I will bring FAM into an era of open, transparent management that listens to supporters and the people,” he said.

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I am offering myself as a candidate who will dare to make difficult decisions for the long-term good of Malaysian football. An AFC report confirms that FAM is now at its lowest point. The old leadership and management approach has clearly failed and will not take us forward. I will bring FAM into an era of open, transparent management that listens to supporters and the people.