FACULTY OF SPORT SCIENCE AND RECREATION

SHAH ALAM

SPORT MANAGEMENT ( SPS 1313 )

TITLE : Article Analysis Assignment

Within The Sport Management Context

NAME : MUHAMMAD SHAFIQ BIN SHAMSUDIN

NO MATRIX : 2017163697

LECTURER : PN. NOR AIN BINTI MUHAMMAD RAFAI

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Content Page
1.0 Introduction 6
2.0 Article Analysis 7
2.1 Lack Of Sport Management 7
2.1.1 What is the major problem ? 7
a) Malaysia's lack of success in winning Olympic gold medals. 7
b) Sport association governance in Malaysia is driven by personality 7
rather than policy.
c) No clear accountability in sports. 7

2.1.2 Why the problem have arisen ? 8

a) Lack of experience and knowledge. 8
b) Governance 8
c) Leadership 9

2.1.3 What is the potential solutions to the problems ? 9

a) Club based 9
b) Commercial 10
c) Underperforming sport associations 10
d) Good governance 10

2.2 Involvement Of Politicians In Management 11

2.2.1 What is the major problem ? 11
a) The strong influence of sports on politics 11
b) Involvement of politicians in sport associations. 11
c) Contest power and positions in sports associations 12

2.2.2 Why the problem have arisen ? 12

a) Politics is a tool for demonstrating power 12
b) Getting Investment Exclusive 12

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 c) The fights and conflicts that occurred in the sports association 13
d) Hold various posts 13

2.2.3 What is the potential solutions to the problems ? 14

a) The mix of political power as a peacemaker 14
b) Tighten the safety 14
c) The Role of the Ministry of Youth and Sports 14
d) Financial resources of a sports 14

2.3 Corruption In Sport Management 15

2.3.1 What is the major problem ? 15
a) The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) 15
is fighting corruption
b) Corruption in sports 15
c) Corruption in the national football industry 16
d) Issue Bookies 16

2.3.2 Why the problem have arisen ? 17

a) Low monthly wages 17
b) Greed 17
c) Internal management weakness 17
d) Abuse of power 18
e) Availability of opportunities 18

2.3.3 What is the potential solutions to the problems ? 18

a) Government 18
b) FAM & Ministry of Youth and Sports 18
c) Educators or teachers 19

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2.4 Doping Issues in Sports Management 20
2.4.1 What is the major problem ? 20
a) Chong Wei offers as an advisor 20
b) Failed doping test 20
c) Doping issues 21
d) Doping tested 21
e) The issue of illicit drug use 21

2.4.2 Why the problem have arisen ? 22

a) Improve performance in sports 22
b) As a treatment of injury or pain 22
c) Intake unknowingly by athletes 22
d) Athletes are ignorant and make mistakes 22
e) Victims when someone gives them. 23

2.4.3 What is the potential solutions to the problems ? 23

a) Educate and train 23
b) Tighter procedures 23
c) Monitor the taking of medicines 23
d) Heavier penalty 24

2.5 The Lack Of Financial Aids And Sponsors 25

2.5.1 What is the major problem ? 25
a) Sponsor stop sponsorship 25
b) Financial problem 25
c) Kelantan Association Football fail to secure a sponsor 25

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 2.5.2 Why the problem have arisen ? 26
a) Money problems 26
b) Depends on financial aids 26.
c) Continuous supports from sponsors 26
d) Financial problems and getting sponsors 26
e) Salaries spent on foreign players 27

2.5.3 What is the potential solutions to the problems ? 27

a) Established standards 27
b) Club licensing requirements. 27

3.0 Conclusion 17

References
APPENDIXS

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1.0 Introduction
Sports is very important for the nation to move forward in the eyes of the world as sport is one of
the important branches to boost the country's economy. This is because people around the world
are interested in sports, such as football, rugby, tennis, badminton, hockey, squash, basketball,
sepak takraw, and more. Sports provides entertainment to people around the world like popular
sports around the world. Millions of sports enthusiasts also keep track of their choice of team or
athlete by listening to parallel reviews of the game through the radio or watching the game
through television. Therefore, sports must be developed so that the country will continue to be
highly regarded by the world and sports can also take steps internationally. Sports considered as
one of the most important elements in national development.
Since independence in 1957, Malaysian government has put so much efforts and
measures on sports development. In 1998, Malaysia created history when it has been chosen as
host to second biggest sporting in the world, Commonwealth Games. Malaysia managed to
bag 10 gold medals from that event. However although government has spent money on
sports development in this country, Malaysia still lack of achievement in bigger sporting such as
Olympic Games as Malaysia only managed to win three silver medal since Malaysia’s
participation in Olympics and those medals come solely from badminton. The other “dream
event” for any countries in this world surely FIFA world cup, the biggest competition in
football. However Malaysia’s performance on football international stage still not up to the
standards of other countries especially those in European continent and even compared to its
Asian counterpart such as Japan and South Korea. Those lack of achievement are said as a result
of poor management of sports and sport associations in Malaysia.
Malaysia periodically goes through periods of distress related to sport performance.
Usually centering around the national football team due to the game's popularity and the team's
lackluster performance in recent years. But except for a few shining examples of excellence this
national distress occurs in all sports. Hardly a week goes by without some official, coach, or past
sport personality making recommendations, chiding present administrators, or talking about the
sports 'potential' for development within the country. Some associations do a better job of this
than others but none of the associations are really tackling sport effectively. Therefore, the paper
will discuss articles on issues related to Sports Management.

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2.0 Articles Analysis

2.1 Lack Of Sport Management

Creating a true sport development system in Malaysia
https://ussa-my.com/publications/articles.php?artnum=114

2.1.1 What is the major problem ?

a) Malaysia's lack of success in winning Olympic gold medals.

British researchers presented a paper at the 2012 European Association for Sport Management
conference addressing Malaysia's lack of success in winning Olympic gold medals. Their paper
summarized a study they did that compared the Malaysian sport structure against the SPLISS
pillars (Sport Policy Factors Leading to International Sporting Success). These pillars consist of:

Financial support, governance, structure, and organization, sports participation, talent id and
development, athletic career and post career support, training facilities, coach education and
provision, national and international competition and scientific research and innovation.

b) Sport association governance in Malaysia is driven by personality rather than policy.

Looking at the national sports scenario, management crisis, athlete's problems still haunt
Malaysian sports associations. These problems arise because of the failure of sports
organizations to understand their function and role. It is noteworthy that personalities also want
to lead sports associations that may have different motives from the goal of national sports
development. There are often conflicts resulting from direct or indirect intervention of these
personnel in sports associations. This poses a polemic so it becomes an open-air conversation

c) No clear accountability in sports.

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the weakness in sports management was that
there was no clear accountability in sports and refusal to accept renewal.

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He said this was based on a study by a group of international sports restructuring experts led by
Dr Brian Miller of the Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS) who has been handed over
to the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS). This weakness prevents Malaysia from achieving
great potential in sports.

2.1.2 Why the problem have arisen ?

This issue is highlighted by many sports researchers and critics. They believe good
management skills are essential for Malaysian sports. However not all sport administrators
especially those who manage the sport association has good management thus resulting to
poor management of the sport itself.

a) Lack of experience and knowledge.

Although there are certain administrators have good qualifications and background but lack of
experience and specific knowledge in particular sports has also been said the contributing
factors to lack of management skills in Malaysian sports. As a result of lack management
skills, certain sports in Malaysia could not even “survived” and needs other parties‟ help
especially from government. The other related factors to management skills include lack of
knowledge, planning and public relations. This factor in line with Olympic Council of
Malaysia (OCM) Honorary Secretary, Datuk Sieh Kok Chi Malaysia spends a lot of money
and expertise on its high performance athletes. Programs help top athletes perform better in
training, recover from injury, train the mental side of performance, and aid athletes and coaches
in other areas as well. This is money that is well spent. Indeed if the government is going to
spend money supporting sport this is where these funds belong.

b) Governance
Sport association governance in Malaysia is driven by personality rather than policy.
With new leadership comes the possibility of upheaval in policy, procedure, and direction of
various initiatives. It's hard to establish direction or to accomplish any long-term goals if new

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leadership can simply change them when they take office. This doesn't mean that new ideas are
bad but the cult of personality that fuels drastic changes in policy direction isn't good either.

c) Leadership
Personality driven leadership is only part of the problem though. The most significant issue is
that even with good ideas NSA leadership only seems to deal with the elite levels of their sport.
There seems to be little understanding of what sport development means, or what a sports
development system actually does. These top performers have already reached upper levels of
performance in their sport or are close to it. We should keep in mind though that high
performance athletes emerge from youth development systems and the effectiveness of these
systems determine the quality and number of the elite athletes who reach the top. The more
comprehensive the youth programs the more robust the high performance athletes will be and the
better they will be able to perform. One of the reasons Malaysia has so few top level athletes is
that youth development programs are small and simply can't produce large numbers of elite level
performers.

2.1.3 What is the potential solutions to the problems ?

a) Club based
Youth programs must be consistent and ongoing. To make this possible they have to be based in
some kind of club system dedicated to the sport. Clubs are the lifeblood of sport development.
They make the sport 'local' and bind athletes and their families into a local activity with other
local athletes. In countries with good developmental structures the state and national sport
associations take on more of an administrative role and leave the training and preparation of
athletes to the clubs.

Malaysian sport associations must find some way to strengthen and empower their sports' club
system.

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b) Commercial
Along with a robust club system there also have to be commercial opportunities within the sport.
The days when all youth sport was operated by schools, government bodies, or volunteers are
over. Now, for developmental programs to be sustainable they have to allow enterprising groups
and individuals to profit from them. This primarily refers to coaches who wish to form clubs to
train athletes or teach lessons but it could apply to any number of profit-seeking entities. As long
as there is a market commercial opportunities will assure that the development system, or at least
part of it, is sustainable.

c) Underperforming sport associations

Currently, and unofficially, it seems that performance is tied solely to results in national or
international competitions. This has no direct effect at the developmental level. The Ministry
must establish some way to measure developmental progress in line with proper long-term
athlete development principles.
Performance of the various sport associations is closely tied to governance and the way each
association sees its role in national development. This brings us to the third and the most
pressing issue in Malaysian sport development.

d) Good governance
All associations are strongly encouraged to do good governance. Governance from all aspects of
management needs to be reviewed for weaknesses. In terms of good governance there are still
weaknesses, but there is a link between good association and outstanding athlete performance. If
the organization is well administered, it will certainly produce outstanding athletes

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2.2 Involvement Of Politicians In Management

Youth and Sports Ministry out to resolve political crisis in sports organisations
http://english.astroawani.com/sports-news/youth-and-sports-ministry-out-resolve-political-crisis-
sports-organisations-19534

2.2.1 What is the major problem ?

a) The strong influence of sports on politics

The strong influence of sports on politics has had an impact on the fate of politicians. Politics
play a role in ensuring the rise and fall of a troop or leader. Not too outrageous is also said that
through sports as well as a political career a person's figure can be torn or dropped. Therefore, it
is not surprising that there are countries and governments who are passionately involved in
sports. Through sports, political influence can be effectively absorbed. Many theories link sport
to politics. The success of an international sport is also sometimes associated with the stability
and political stability of the country.

b) Involvement of politicians in sport associations.

The last but not least issue in Malaysian sports management is involvement of politicians.
Malaysia has a “unique” situation where certain sport associations in this country are
managed by the people who also active in politics even some of them are Member of
Parliament or state representative. Although some of them have capabilities, knowledge
and experience in certain particular sports, but it is a known facts that certain of these
politicians do get involve in sports as a platform to promote themselves to higher position
whether in politics and even in government. At one time, Former Prime Minister, (Hon)
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi ordered all ministers and deputy ministers who held posts in
sport association to relinquish their position. Almost every ministers during that time
obeyed to the order but there are also several ministers “ignored” the order.

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c) Contest power and positions in sports associations
The most frequent issues are the power struggle in the sports body, the election of athlete
participation in a competition. In this regard, the involvement of politicians in sports will
negatively affect the likes of the likes. There are some politicians who hold various positions in
sports and youth associations. It will definitely affect the performance of the sport and the
athlete.

2.2.2 Why the problem have arisen ?

a) Politics is a tool for demonstrating power

Politics is a tool for demonstrating power such as team management or sports associations,
hierarchy power and sports management and administration. Politics certainly exists alongside
and moves in reciprocity with sports. Politics exists in most process and sports development
activities. Politics takes place in the process of selecting athletes or players, coaches and sports
officials. Politics exist in competitions or tournaments, politics also exist in sports clubs. In fact,
sometimes politics play a role in ensuring the rise and fall of a troop or leader. As a result of
exhibiting the power they have become the source of this problem.

b) Getting Investment Exclusive

Furthermore sports are also politicized when millions and even billions of dollars are invested to
earn exclusive rights by corporate sponsors. This has led to the enormous violation of ethics by
the World Sports Committee to pursue profits, including through tourism, construction and
transport. Then opening up space to the world sports body to get remuneration from the race to
be a sports game. For example, the IOC is an organization that has a very broad power in
determining which countries are governing and other rules of the tournament have been
purchased by the OIC vote, where millions of dollar are spent by the corporate side to buy "gifts"
to the limbs. The issue was warmly talked about after the scandal around the Olympics in Sidney
in 2000 and around the Salt Lake City election as the organizers of the 2002 Winter Olympics.
An Australian Olympic Committee official revealed the spending of ballot purchases for the
Olympics right at Sidney with the help of the Australian government reaching US $ 1 million to

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buy various types of gifts to OIC members, excluding other expenses to win organizational
rights.

c) The fights and conflicts that occurred in the sports association

The issue of fights and conflicts that take place in sports bodies that are detrimental to the image
of our country's sport in the eyes of the world. This will result in unhealthy competition among
the teams competing. This issue will show a bad example whereas football is the ideal game to
watch for the whole family. The struggles of positions and leadership ties within the body of a
sports body will be detrimental to the stability and leadership of an organization. The association
can not concentrate on improving the quality and quality of the association. Leaders need to take
responsibility with dedication and competence in managing organizations to develop the quality
of national sports.

d) Hold various posts

There are some politicians who hold various posts in the Sports and Youth associations to
monopolize. The posts to popularize their names and be used to help them get votes during the
general election. The involvement of politicians in spearheading a sports association will
undermine their convergence in administration. Affecting the association because leaders are
busy with government and political administration. Some associations are affected because of
political affairs mixed with sports associations. Political participation in the management of a
sports association can diminish the focus and commitment to advancing sports associations. The
Olympics , our national football team did not have the opportunity to participate in the Olympics
in Moscow in 1980, although it was worth it. This is because Malaysia joins West Asia to
boycott the global sport on the grounds that the Soviet Union has attacked Afghanistan. In return,
the Soviet allies boycotted the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles for protesting the sports boycott in
Moscow four years earlier. Iran under the religious regime has been boycotting both sports on
the grounds of major powers intervened with world affairs, including in the countries of West
Asia. This situation caused the organization and sports tournaments to be irregular. This is a
detrimental to the country's performance of the sport to go further and bring the country's name.

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2.2.3 What is the potential solutions to the problems ?

The solution to this problem will be able to become a conciliatory element in a turbulent state
through unity in sports activities.

a) The mix of political power as a peacemaker

The mix of political power as a peacemaker in sports issues helps solve any problems that arise.
For example, the issue of Larkin Tunnel. Youth and Sports Minister , Khairy Jamaluddin urged
FAM to issue investigative findings to resolve the problem.

b) Tighten the safety

Khairy Jamaluddin also urged FAM to tighten the safety of the stadium. This shows that the role
of politician leaders (Youth and Sports Minister) is important in solving the problems that arise.

c) The Role of the Ministry of Youth and Sports

Through the Sports Commissioner supplied with the authority of the Sports Development Act,
the Ministry of Youth and Sports has always engaged and identified any problems in sports
associations. The Ministry of Youth and Sports provides advice and guidance in finding
solutions to the development of national sports.

d) Financial resources of a sports

The financial resources of a sports body can be enhanced by the help of politicians involved. The
sports body can get sponsors by using the names of politicians involved in the sports body. With
the financial resources available, the sports body can get highly capable trainers. Obtain suitable
infrastructure and facilities to improve the quality of training. Improve the success of sportsmen.

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2.3 Corruption In Sport Management
MACC will 'aggressively' battle corruption in football
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/04/18/macc-will-aggressively-battle-corruption-
in-football/#6e3DHD6uotZ284JD.99

2.3.1 What is the major problem ?

a) The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is fighting corruption

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said it would continue to

aggressively fight corruption in the national football industry. According to the Malaysian Anti-
Corruption Commission (MACC) investigative director Datuk Mustafar Ali, the MACC has
seriously considered corruption in the field of sports and sought cooperation from all parties to
address the problem especially in the national football arena. According to him, the agency has
also collaborated with the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) by establishing an Integrity
Committee to ensure that the sports are free of corruption and increase integrity among those
involved in the industry.

b) Corruption in sports
Another biggest issue faced by most sports organizations is corruption and also the abuse
of powers by their trusted personnel. Corruption not only a big issues to sports and sport
organizations but also country as a whole. Corruption has affected the effectiveness of
management and delivery system.

Corruption in sport is understood as any illegal, immoral or unethical activity that attempts to
deliberately distort the outcome of a sporting contest for the personal material gain of one or
more parties involved in that activity (Gorse and Chadwick, 2013). From an economic
standpoint, corruption in sport was initially meant to refer to any action that aims at and succeeds
in earning money with distorting the outcome of sport contests by means of bribing / throwing a
game for money or non-monetary compensation. Nowadays, corrupt sport has extended to other
unethical behavior such as distorting the allocation of mega-sporting events, biasing decisions

15
made by sport governing bodies and fixing bet-related matches. Corrupt sport dates back to the
earliest centuries when sporting events emerged. Maennig (2006) reports documented cases of
bribing competitors at the Olympic Games in 388, 332 and 12 BC.

c) Corruption in the national football industry

It turns out that the local football scene has never been a lame or even solitary issue of corruption
whether it involves players including import players, team officers or bookie syndicates. In the
1990's, the football world of the country has been rocked with a severely corrupt scandal so
many well-known players at that time accepted the offense for being found guilty and subjected
to various disciplinary actions including being suspended for life by the Football Association of
Malaysia (FAM). Obviously since then the issue of corruption in football has continued to attract
public attention because from time to time there are arrests made involving players from various
levels of the tournament. Last year, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC)
arrested two local players aged 26 and 27 with a 29-year-old import player who played for the
MISC-MIFA club for allegedly taking bribes from a bookie.

d) Issue Bookies

Corruption issues have long been in the field of sports. Looking at current scenarios, various
tactics are used by certain parties in securing instant victories as a result of the party's gains on
profit. Shortcuts are always used through 'bookie' practices and match-fixing activities by
making athletes or referees a "main character".

Initial investigation showed that all three players arrested by the MACC were suspected of
receiving bribe money between RM10,000 and RM30,000 from the bookie to determine the
result of the match. In fact, it is also reported that the authorities have also arrested a bookie
reminder to assist in the investigation of corruption in determining the results of football matches
involving the Premier League club.

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2.3.2 Why the problem have arise

a) Low monthly wages

Low monthly wages without any additional remuneration are believed to be the main source of
football league players receiving feeds to cover their living expenses.

Some football players are said to have only earned a monthly income of RM1,000, and with a
tight schedule of training, they have no chance of doing side work. According to sources, it is not
surprising that the feed price offered around RM200 to RM300 per game is considered to be
sufficient to cover the costs of the squad's survival. The players are average young, in their early
20s. So, they are easily affected by today's lifestyle. They are said to be forced to accept the
remuneration because they need to keep their appearance apart to cover the rising cost of living,

b) Greed

Greedy players will often be easily involved with this bribe's signature but sometimes the
unprofitable team's reward also encourages players to accept bribes. In this modern world we are
often chasing time and becoming materialistic, we are no longer thinking about our finances,
whether halal or haram as long as it can provide us with materialistic satisfaction.

c) Internal management weakness

Associations who fail to manage the welfare of their players, where inconsistent salaries are paid
to make it difficult for their lives to be the source of their willingness to accept bribes for their
"survival". Development or development is indeed required by our country of Malaysia, the
problem is that development progresses so rapidly "brought" by leaders is not in line with the
moral and spiritual consciousness of society. When this is uneven, that is, between moral and
spiritual advancement and consciousness, various social problems cause corruption. In a bribe
sport kills patriotic spirit and sports spirit.

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d) Abuse of power

The management of the football team can make arrangements in terms of techniques and tactics
of the game to give advantage to the opposing team.

e) Availability of opportunities.

"Bookie" is a puppeteer who seeks opportunities to give, receive, bargain and demand something
primarily based on their respective powers and positions and they do not consider football
leagues popular or not, as long as there is a chance they will continue their activities.

2.3.3 What is the potential solutions to the problems ?

a) Government

In countries like the United Kingdom and Singapore there have been proposals to allow legal
bets to prevent corruption in their footballing sports. The Malaysian government as an Islamic
state should take action and be cautious in order for the situation to legalize the bet is not
contagious to this country which could affect the image of our country.

b) FAM & Ministry of Youth and Sports

All parties should play a role in eradicating this corrupt epidemic. FAM needs to look at
everything organized to suit actual needs. The Ministry of Youth and Sports should take
seriously the bribe of corruption in football and take proactive measures to monitor this immoral
phenomenon in a transparent and fair manner under the Anti-Corruption Act 1997 (Act 576). All
parties need to work together to combat corruption in the country thus enhancing integrity as a
culture and noble values in our lives.

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c) Educators or teachers

Educators or teachers should play a role to eradicate these corrupt phenomena. Something should
be started at the school level to raise awareness of the danger of these corrupt children if it is left
out. At the Ministry Education level there should be a "think-tank" group that needs to do
something special in terms of syllabus or perhaps a special subject about corruption should be
enacted so that children can be educated in the early stages of bad habits of corruption where
they grow up will not be involved with these symptoms.

All parties must play a role in making Malaysia a person with integrity and high cultural value.
The eradication of corrupt phenomena in sports also creates quality athletes and clean sports
from fraud.

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2.4 Doping Issues in Sports Management

Doping: Chong Wei offers advice after Malaysia diver tests positive
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-doping-malaysia chong-wei/doping-chong-wei-offers-advice-
after malaysia-diver-tests-positive-iduskbn1ca0tj

Doping testing is a key component enforced by anti-doping authorities to detect and deter doping
in sport. Policy is developed to protect athletes’ right to participate in doping-free sport; and
testing is a key tool to secure this right. Accordingly, athletes’ responses to anti-doping efforts
are important. This article explores how the International Standards for Testing, which face
different interpretations and challenges when policy is implemented, are perceived by elite
athletes.

2.4.1 The major problems

a) Chong Wei offers as an advisor

Chong Wei has offered advice on how to deal with a doping ban. He stated that
failing a drug test was really something tough on an athlete because he had been
through it.

b) Failed doping test

Local sports are once again surprised by the use of illegal substances by state athletes. According
to reports, three athletes were found to be positive using illegal substances and one of them was
Malaysian athlete who won the gold medal at the 29th SEA Games which took place from
August 19 to 30. One of whom was an unnamed female diver, a gold medalist at the Southeast
Asian Games hosted by Kuala Lumpur in August, was tested positively to ban sibutramine drugs
in the New Delhi laboratory.

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Do not they learn from high-profile doping cases involving Malaysian athletes before?
Are not they impressed with what the national badminton champion Datuk Lee Chong Wei has
to offer? Sazali Samad's bodybuilder champion and also Tai Cheau Xuen, who had to release
the gold medal event of the Incheon Asian Games wushu in 2014?

c) Doping issue
The Doping issue in sports is the most frightening thing for athletes because mistaken steps are
definitely the reputation of the athlete to be affected. When the athlete starts to get doped up, the
athlete's performance begins to decline and this will certainly affect the athlete itself and the
impact on the country in the event that will be participated.

d) Doping tested
Most testing for doping products uses a long-established technique called mass
spectrometry. This involves firing a beam of electrons at urine samples to ionize them - turning
the atoms into charged particles by adding or removing electrons. Each substance the sample
contains has a unique "fingerprint" and as the scientists already know the weight of many
steroids, for example, they are able to rapidly detect doping. But there are difficulties with the
system.
Some by-products of doping substances are so small they may not produce a strong enough
signal for detection. Blood testing is capable of detecting EPO and synthetic oxygen carriers, but
not blood transfusions. One method introduced to aid the detection of such transfusions is the
biological passport.

e) The issue of illicit drug use

The issue of prohibited substances in sports is no longer a new issue in the country's sports arena.
Common substance abuse among athletes include weight reducing and performance enhancing
drugs, masking agents to disguise the presence of other drugs and erythropoietin, otherwise
known as blood doping. The type of the substance used depends on the sports, like beta blockers
to ensure steady hands in sports like shooting and archery, steroids for stamina, speed and power,
and diuretics to reduce weight so they (the athletes) can compete in a different category. Every
sport can have cheats.

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2.4.2 Why the problem have arise

The causes of substance abuse by athletes. The causes for the use of improved performance
materials are numerous and varied. Generally there is no single motive for the misuse of
prohibited substances and methods. Among the reasons for doping are:
a) Improve performance in sports
Athletes face great pressure to achieve excellence in the competition. In addition to medal
recognition, they can also earn money as a reward for winning a contest. While they know that
training is the best way to improve their performance, some of them think that some medicines
and other practices can increase their efforts and give them a shortcut to boost stamina.

b) As a treatment of injury or pain

An athlete needs to be in a healthy condition to compete perfectly. However, there are some
athletes who are injured while competing or exercising. To minimize pain quickly, they are
willing to take drugs containing substance abuse.

c) Intake unknowingly by athletes

Occasionally, this prohibited substance may be taken unknowingly by the athlete himself. For
example, an athlete will take supplements as an additional nutrition to improve the health and
stamina levels. However, there are unregistered supplements containing substance abuse. When
they take the supplements, without them they actually have taken the forbidden substance.

d) Athletes are ignorant and make mistakes

There are athletes who do not know how nutrition and dietary intake have active ingredients
prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency. Athletes' ignorance of athletes and coaches in
terms of how and what type of diet and dietary supplements have illicit drugs indicates no
communication between athletes, coaches, as well as sports scientists, sports psychology and diet
science in these "personal" matters. "Drugs" not only in the form of pills or powders as in films,
but also in our daily diet.

22
National athletes need to know what ingredients are active in their diets and assess whether the
ingredients they eat can affect the drug tests required by each athlete. If they did not take this
into account, they made mistakes.

e) Victims when someone gives them.

Athletes become victims when someone gives them. It is likely that they are given a restricted
substance by their coach. They are drugged by their coaches, consciously or unconsciously.

2.4.3 What is the potential solutions to the problems ?

a) Educate and train

Among the steps that can be taken to curb this problem is to educate and train their players and
trainers about the prohibited substance in sports. This is because many sports athletes still do not
have enough knowledge about the ingredients especially when they take supplements such as
traditional medicines. Knowledge of how to identify registered drugs should also be emphasized.
Additionally, they should also be exposed to the effects that will occur with the recruitment of
such materials.

b) Tighter procedures
In addition, doping tests should also be carried out with tighter procedures so that no deviations
occur during the test. Doping tests should be performed on each athlete at random not only
during the competition season, but during off-season matches. By taking this approach, definitely
athletes will feel unsafe and will be afraid to abuse drugs.

c) Monitor the taking of medicines

The next step is to appoint a registered pharmacist to monitor the taking of medicines by each
athlete. Although every athlete has a nutritional adviser or a nutritional advisor, which is
responsible for monitoring athlete nutrition, they may not have any knowledge of the medicinal
content taken by the athlete. The pharmacist as an expert in drugs is certainly the best choice to
advise athletes in taking medicines.

23
d) Heavier penalty
The heavier penalty should be given to athletes who are found guilty as prohibited from
participating in the contest forever. Such severe punishment will cause athletes to be afraid to
abuse drugs.

24
2.5 The Lack Of Financial Aids And Sponsors

Kelantan may pull out of 2017 MSL season due to financial problems

http://www.espn.in/football/blog-football-asia/story/3015836/kelantan-may-pull-out-of-2017-
msl-season-due-to-financial-problems

2.5.1 The major problems

a) Sponsor stop sponsorship
Kelantan are considering the possibility of withdrawing from the 2017 Malaysia Super League
(MSL) after Sponsor stop sponsorship. Cosmetic businessman Datuk Seri Hasmiza Othman or
known as Dr. Vida has halted a two-year sponsorship agreement worth RM16 million due to
disappointment with the lack of financial returns associated with running the MSL team.
His decision to leave the future of the East Coach's champion in serious danger, with the state
government also reportedly unwilling to finance the national team.

b) Financial problem
Kelantan has a very serious financial problem. The payroll payout issue is still pending. Kelantan
is struggling with financial challenges back to 2014, with some former players claiming unpaid
wages. Their former Bulgarian coach Velizar Popov left the team in October, in view of lack of
direction due to financial uncertainty. Tan Sri Annuar Musa resigned as president on the
following month, leaving the club scramble to look for any financial means.
Kelantan is reportedly needing at least RM15 million to run the club for the 2017 season. This
crisis caused them to think to withdraw from MSL

c) Kelantan Association Football fail to secure a sponsor

KAFA consider the possibility of withdrawing from the Malaysia Super League (MSL) 2017 if
they fail to get the sponsor before the new season starts on Jan 20. This is due to the conclusion
of a 2-year sponsorship contract from cosmetic businessman, Dr. Vida. The team's poor
performance last season was the source of the termination of the agreement. According to
Kelantan vice-president Datuk Rosmadi Ismail, failing to get sponsors, it is likely that Kelantan
will not show their appearance in the 2017 season.

25
2.5.2 Why the problem have arise

a) Money problems
Money is the main problems in managing sports in Malaysia. There are many contributing
factors to this issue and one of the main factors is the sport performance itself. In past
years, achievement of certain sports are not really convincing. As a result it is hard for sport
association in Malaysia to garner financial aids from sponsors or even to generate income
from gate collection.

b) Depends on financial aids .

As a result, most sport organizations in this country are highly depends on financial aids from
government to support their annual activities and development. The financial aid from
government sometimes seen as government’s intervention in certain sport associations. In
other words, indirectly it becomes “controlling mechanism” where that sport associations
who receive fund from government has to follow certain “styles” and “regulation” made as part
of conditions imposed by government.

c) Continuous supports from sponsors

Past years, certain sports such as football used to “enjoy” continuous supports from sponsors
especially tobacco manufacturers but due to policies and also poor gate collection in local league
resulted to poor financial situation. However there are also sports such as badminton and squash
who still manage to draw a large amount of financial aids from sponsors and other parties but
this is due to the good result from its athletes especially in international level and also huge
interest from public that resulted to extensive coverage by media.

d) Financial problems and getting sponsors

Financial problems and getting sponsors also hold football associations and clubs in Malaysia.
So many people want to withdraw from the Malaysia League 2017 due to financial problems.
Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the state government should not give any
money to the competition in the Malaysian League (Liga M), but each association needs to have
a body to generate financial resources. After DRB Hicom pulled out of the M League next
season due to financial problems, now two more - Kelantan and Perlis are likely to take on a

26
similar action following financial constraints. Kelantan and Perlis have been asking for state aid
to enable the team to continue to compete in the football field next year.

e) Salaries spent on foreign players

One of the major cost drivers is the salaries spent on foreign players, estimated by a trusted
industry expert to be an average of RM90,000 per for a Super League player and RM45,000 for
the Malaysia Premier League. Work permits, relocation costs, housing, travel, children’s
schooling, insurance and many other unseen costs can all be further incidentals when hiring a
foreigner. These other costs can easily increase the amount spent by 30-50 per cent.
Even though the costs are high and clubs would be financially better off fielding a team of local
players, they are left with little choice as the available home-grown talent isn’t on par and would
leave them unable to compete with teams that field the allowed four foreigners in their starting
11. Clubs are caught in a situation where if they don’t invest, they won’t be competitive and risk
losing streaks, the fans’ wrath and potential relegation.

2.5.3 What is the potential solutions to the problems ?

a) Established standards
The national football arena continues with financial turmoil over several state and seemingly
endless states in addition to unsuccessful sponsorship problems. In fact, the soccer lovers of the
homeland must admit that Malaysian football has no standard. Malaysian football does not meet
established standards by sponsors. This is the reality. See how other sports like badminton and
bowling have proven their world-class achievements. No wonder local and international
corporate companies are calling for their sponsorship.

b) Club licensing requirements.

The FMLLP in the meantime has recently obliging every team that joins the League M to begin
the 2018 season passing the club licensing requirements. Among the requirements outlined, each
team needs to have strong financial and marketing plans to generate revenue, professional
management and no longer depend on government subsidies or sponsors as the primary source of
income. It is a solution taken to overcome the financial problems experienced by football
societies.

27
3.0 Conclusion

It is apparent that the role of the government is central to the development of sports, the
tendency and dynamism of the sports industrial sector, and the growth to sports
organizations and national aspirations and interests, in Malaysia. This is evident mainly
through the financial allocations and expenditures on sport made by the government as
mentioned in the earlier paragraph, as well as the promulgation of sport-related legislation
that some may see as “controlling mechanism”.

This control is appropriate in that the government is merely accounting for public
expenditures in sport as opposed to „dictating‟ the direction of local sport. There is a
danger however in that future expenditures as well as development for public sport
programs will only be for selected few, ‘elitist’ sport. For example the funding may be
concentrated only for sport events that have the potential of bringing fame and fortune to
the country and would be less for grassroots, mass sport. Applying the process to the local
context, it may appear that Malaysia has gone through the first Phase and are well into the
second phase. At least more than ten local and private institutions of higher learning are now
offering sport management at baccalaureate and masters levels. More local scholars in
sport management are being trained locally and abroad for that same purpose. The
establishment of the Malaysian Association for Sport Management (MASMA) in 2006
signifies the start of the second phase that would hopefully speed up the progress into the
Final Phase, where the community would be aware of the need to have professionals
managing sport in Malaysia.
As a conclusion, sports management in Malaysia needs some improvement for example
improvement in terms of efficiency and also improvement in administration and that
improvement needed before Malaysia year 2020. In addition to making Malaysian sukam equal
to world sports forces, the issues discussed should be reviewed and sought to solve the problem.
But before that, every quarters involved in sports must play their role and first and foremost,
rectify those “miseries” or issues that surrounding sports and sport associations in
Malaysia.

28
REFERENCES

The Government of Malaysia (1996) The Reports of the Fifth and Sixth Malaysian Plan
for the period commencing 1986 to1995.

Kok Chi, S. (2002). Current Issues and Problems in Sport Effecting Good Governance.
Paper presented at the 4th Olympic Council of Malaysia Annual Conference, Kuala
Lumpur.

Koehler, L. S., & Lupcho, P. (1990). Sport Management and the Process of
Professionalisation. Paper presented at the Fifth Annual NASSM Convention, Louisville,
Ky..

Radzi, W. (2000). Challenges and Future Directions of Sports Management in Malaysia.

Paper presented at the Proceedings of Malaysia Annual Conference, Kuala Lumpur.

Gapor Ahmad. (2007). Kejurulatihan dan Sains Sukan. Kuala Lumpur : Utusan Publications &
Distributors Sdn. Bhd.

Helen Hong Ben Then. (2001). Pengelolaan dan Pengurusan Pertandingan Sukan. Selangor :
Fajar Bakti Sdn. Bhd

Helmi Mohd. Foad & Hashinan Abdullah (2010). Dua insentif baru lonjak sukan.
http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2010&dt=0113&sec=Dalam_Negeri&pg=
dn_01.htm.

Ishak Ramly. (2003). Inilah Kurikulum Sekolah. Selangor : PTS Production.

Khairy Tekad Atasi Kemelut Politik Dalam Sukan.(2013)

http://brojinggo.blogspot.com/2013/08/khairy-tekad-atasikemelut-politik.html.

29
Politik dan Sukan. http://wenku.baidu.com/view/37e02c3b0912a2161479298c.html

Khairy Mahu FAM Segera Keluar Hasil Siasatan Insiden Terowong.

http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bm/sp/newssports.php?id =1013575

30
Appendix

ARTICLE 1

Creating a true sport development system in Malaysia

https://ussa-my.com/publications/articles.php?artnum=114
( Bill Price | 11 September 2017)

The recent SEA Games is being touted in the press as a major success by the
government being not only able to put on a great show but also for being able
to produce a winning team for Malaysia. No one can argue that the 2017 Kuala
Lumpur SEA Games were a success in both spectacle and performance. The
government, through the auspices of the organizing committee, produced one
of the most spectacular multi-sport events ever. But when it comes to athlete
performances who is really responsible for them? To help answer this question
this article will look at a research study from 2012 that addressed why
Malaysia seems to have a hard time winning Olympic gold medals.

British researchers presented a paper at the 2012 European Association for

Sport Management conference addressing Malaysia's lack of success in
winning Olympic gold medals. Their paper summarized a study they did that
compared the Malaysian sport structure against the SPLISS pillars (Sport
Policy Factors Leading to International Sporting Success). These pillars
consist of:

1. Financial support
2. Governance, structure, and organization
3. Sports participation
4. Talent ID and development
5. Athletic career and post career support
6. Training facilities
7. Coach education and provision
8. National and international competition
9. Scientific research and innovation

Their analysis (read the abstract here) noted where Malaysia was performing
well and where improvement was needed. The areas singled out needing
improvement are quoted from the abstract here:

31
  There is a lack of strategic planning in national sport associations
(NSA)
 Very few sports have a holistic competition structure and most sports
have no club structure
 Virtually no NSA keeps membership records
 The financial policies and procedures of all NSAs need substantial
development

Notice that these areas all address tasks related to the sport associations, not
the government. In fact, the SPLISS analysis notes that areas where the
government is responsible Malaysia receives good marks or is making
progress. It is within the associations where improvement is needed if
Olympic gold is to be achieved.

Have the associations improved? Have they addressed any of the four points
above?

Unfortunately sport association governance in Malaysia is driven by

personality rather than policy. With new leadership comes the possibility of
upheaval in policy, procedure, and direction of various initiatives. It's hard to
establish direction or to accomplish any long-term goals if new leadership can
simply change them when they take office. This doesn't mean that new ideas
are bad but the cult of personality that fuels drastic changes in policy direction
isn't good either.

Personality driven leadership is only part of the problem though. The most
significant issue is that even with good ideas NSA leadership only seems to
deal with the elite levels of their sport. There seems to be little understanding
of what sport development means, or what a sports
development system actually does.

The system is what produces elite level athletes and while there are a few
athletes who can rise to the top of the performance heap without systemic
support they are the exception rather than the rule.

In Malaysia whenever one uses the term 'system' we think government. The
system referred to here though isn't the government, although the government
is certainly part of it. The system is an overarching collection of support,
opportunities, training, education, and competition that all combine to

32
produce elite level athletes. It is decentralized, thus cannot be controlled by
any single entity.

Decentralization is why developing a sport club system is critical to the deep

development of any sport. A system of clubs can build the foundation of
athletes in the sport, create the holistic competition structures referred to
above, register and track athletes performance from the very beginning of
their training life, and, in short, help create a youth sport culture.

A club system would also create a need for trained local coaches. The reason
foreigners are brought in in the first place is the perception that local coaches
can't perform at the elite level. A good club system is the only way to create a
local supply of trained and experienced coaches. A club system would create
coaching 'jobs' for local coaches.

Right now youth sport is simply not a 'thing' in Malaysia. That might be
because Malaysian culture simply won't support it. If so, there's not too much
you can do about it. It's more likely though that no association has really tried
to create a youth sport structure.

The Malaysian sport system is only half formed. It's working well at the elite
level but is practically non-existent at the novice or beginning level. Without a
club structure, comprehensive competitive opportunities, athlete registration
and data tracking, and long-term strategic planning there can't be a robust
sport development system. And no matter how well the elite level of the
Malaysian system is they will always be working with athletes who will never
reach their full potential simply because they have a limited developmental
foundation.

Right now Malaysia is focusing too much on the individuals involved in

national level sport and not enough on the system needed to keep providing
these elite level athletes. No one seems to have the answer to the question
about "Where is the next Lee Chong Wei or Nicole David?" By developing a
youth sport 'system' we won't have ask this question anymore.

--------
Bill Price (price@ussa-my.com) is the Chief Information Officer for USSA
Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur.

33
ARTICLE 2

BERITA | SPORTS NEWS

Youth and Sports Ministry out to resolve political

crisis in sports organisations
August 01, 2013 17:35 MYT

http://english.astroawani.com/sports-news/youth-and-sports-ministry-out-resolve-political-crisis-
sports-organisations-19534

KUALA LUMPUR:
The Youth and Sports Ministry is determined to overcome political and leadership crisis in several sports
associations, including the National Sports Council (NSC), said its Minister Khairy Jamaludin.

He assured that the issue will be tackled from time to time to ensure it doesn't continue to affect the
performance of sports in the country.

"Through the Sports Commissioner who has the powers under the Sports Development Act, we will
continue to engage and identify problems in sports associations.

"We admit there are several sports associations that have politicking, internal conflicts for posts and
other issues. There are some whose registration was cancelled and we need to come up with a new
association. We will take all this into consideration," he said in reply to a supplementary question from
Senator Datuk Boon Som Inong at the Dewan Negara, here, today.

Boon had asked about the government's measures to resolve leadership and political crisis within sports
associations since it has affected performance and results.

Khairy said the Sports Commissioner will also be reminded not to wait for a crisis to crop up in an
association before action was taken.

"We are not interfering, but we will always advise and give advise and draw guidelines to find a solution.

"We don't want individuals who are too obsessed with posts in associations, as the objective is to
improve the quality of sports in the country because that is far more important," he said.

Answering the original question from Senator Roslin Abdul Rahman on steps by the ministry to boost
the performance of national athletes, Khairy said the ministry carried out various programmes to

34
identify new talent at the national and regional level.

Khairy said 5,582 athletes were undergoing training under 44 foreign coaches and 112 local coaches at
252 training centres nationwide.

"From this number, 47 elite athletes were absorbed for training in the 2016 Rio Olympics programme
which is targetted to win the country's first ever gold medal," he said.

The ministry will also cooperate with the Education Ministry through the Talent Identification Program
(TIP) which conducts a Level 1 screening test on students nationwide to gauge their performance.

The test is carried out based on 11 types of sports, and 12,551 were tested from January to June this
year in terms of their body size and speed, of which 2,511 were identified to have the potential to
become future national athletes.

"The ministry has also embarked on programmes to produce local coaches through the National
Coaching Academy, whereby 1,078 Level One coaches are being trained so far," he added.

Tag: Youth and Sports Ministry, NSC, Minister Khairy Jamaludin

35
 ARTICLE 3

MACC will 'aggressively' battle

corruption in football
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/04/18/macc-will-aggressively-battle-
corruption-in-football/#6e3DHD6uotZ284JD.99

 NATION
 Tuesday, 18 Apr 2017
6:03 PM MYT
 by iwan shu-aswad shuaib
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) says that it will
continue to aggressively battle corruption in the country's football industry.
"I have instructed officials that if any information or complaints received indicate that
there is a prima facie case, then we will take action, " said MACC deputy chief
commissioner Datuk Azam Baki.
"We must ensure that sporting excellence in the country is achieved," he said at a press
conference after the Combat Corruption in Sport programme at the National Sports
Institute on Tuesday, launched by Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
Talk about corruption in football has intensified recently after some players and bookies
were detained for allegedly fixing local Premier League matches.
A 49-year-old bookie was arrested along with three players from the Malaysian Indian
Sports Council-India Football Association of Malaysia (MISC-MIFA), to assist
investigations into match-fixing in the Premier League.
Three players, aged between 26 to 29, including a foreign player were remanded for
seven days on April 6.
It is understood that the bookie offered between RM10,000 and RM30,00 to to fix the
outcome of matches.
Azam declined to comment when asked if more arrests would be made.
He said that the Corruption-Free Pledge taken by leaders of national sports bodies was
a preventive measure to deal with corruption in sport.
Azam said that corruption in sport locally was not serious and the pledge was to keep it
from becoming more severe.

36
ARTICLE 4
SPORTS NEWS
OCTOBER 5, 2017 / 5:21 PM / 7 MONTHS AGO

Doping: Chong Wei offers advice

after Malaysia diver tests positive
Reuters Staff
3 MIN READ

HTTPS://WWW.REUTERS. COM/ARTICLE/US-DOPING-MALAYS IA
CHONG-WEI/DOPING-CHONG-WEI-OFFERS-ADVICE-AFTER
MALAYSIA-DIVER-TESTS-POSITIVE-IDUSKBN1CA0TJ

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Malaysian badminton player Lee Chong Wei,

a three-times Olympic silver medal winner who served an eight-month
doping ban, has urged any local offenders to “stay strong” after reports
emerged that a SEA Games champion had failed a drugs test.

Earlier this week, national news agency Bernama said the unnamed
female diver, a gold medalist at the Kuala Lumpur-hosted Southeast
Asian Games in August, tested positive for banned weight-loss drug
sibutramine at a New Delhi laboratory.

The athlete, one of three who returned positive tests, has asked to be
present for her B sample test and faces the prospect of being stripped of
her medal and a four-year ban should the second examination also
return a positive result.

Malaysia’s sporting community has been rocked by the news,

especially as the National Sports Council (NSC) were confident that no
local athlete would fail a drugs test at the Games and Chong Wei has
offered advice on how to deal with a doping ban.

“Failing a dope test is really tough on an athlete. I know because I went

through it,” Chong Wei told Thursday’s The Star newspaper.

37
 “It’s also difficult for an athlete because every year there are new
substances added to the banned list,” added the 34-year-old, who was
stripped of his silver medal and handed the ban after testing positive at
the 2014 World Championships.

“The best the athletes can do is to stay strong and put their trust in the
National Sports Institute (NSI) to help them.”

Former world number one Chong Wei, who failed a test for anti-
inflammatory corticosteroid dexamethasone, added that it was the
responsibility of all athletes to ensure they strictly monitored their diets.

“We need to be extra careful especially with what we eat and the
nutrients we take,” he said. “That’s why it is best that all nutrients are
vetted by the NSI.”

Malaysia topped the medals table in the biennial regional gathering

with 145 golds but the positive result came as a surprise to Anti-Doping
Agency of Malaysia (Adamas) unit head S. Nishel Kumar.

“Together with the NSC, we have conducted tests, seminars and so

much more for all the athletes involved in the SEA Games since
October last year,” he told the New Straits Times when asked to
comment on the matter.

“This is a very tough question, because we conducted our tests in

batches. The said athlete could have consumed the banned substance
after testing negative.”

The date of the diver’s B sample test has yet to be set.

Reportting by John O'Brien in Singapore; Editing by Sudipto Ganguly

Our Standards:The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

38
 ARTICLE 5

Kelantan may pull out of 2017 MSL season due to

financial problems
http://www.espn.in/football/blog-football-asia/story/3015836/kelantan-may-pull-out-of-
2017-msl-season-due-to-financial-problems

Dec 11, 2016

 Nicolas Anil

 comment

Kelantan 2016 team for FA Cup tie in February Asiaan

Kelantan are considering the possibility of withdrawing from the 2017 Malaysia Super League
(MSL) should they fail to secure a sponsor before the new season kicks off on Jan 20.

Cosmetics tycoon Datuk Seri Hasmiza Othman, also known as Dr. Vida, is understood to have
halted her two-year sponsorship deal, worth RM 16 million, which leaves the Red Warriors in
limbo.

Vida had up to 50 clauses when she bought the team before the 2016 season, including painting
the Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium pink. She's understood to have been frustrated with the lack
of financial returns associated with running an MSL team.

Her decision leaves the future of the East Coach giants in serious jeopardy, with the state
government also reportedly not willing to fund the state side.

Kelantan coach Velizar Popov Hazmin Hussin/ www.asiana.my

"If we fail to get sponsors, there is a real possibility that Kelantan will not feature in the 2017
season," Kelantan vice president Datuk Rosmadi Ismail told Astro Awani.
Kelantan are battling with financial challenges that stretch back to 2014, with some former
players claiming that wages haven't been paid.

Their former Bulgarian coach Velizar Popov left the team in October, citing a lack of direction
due to financial uncertainty.

Tan Sri Annuar Musa resigned as president the following month, leaving the club scrambling to
find any sort of financial means.

39
Kelantan reportedly need at least RM 15 million to run the club for the 2017 season.

Despite all the financial uncertainties, the Red Warriors have retained the services of former
Birmingham City midfielder Margaro Gomis.

New coach Zahasmi Ismail has also invited former Terengganu centre-back Vincent Bikana for
trials at the club.

While managing to retain the services of captain Badhri Radzi and Nor Farhan Mohammad,
Kelantan have already lost some key players for the new season should they be able to take part.

Australian-born Brendan Gan recently announced his departure from the club, while winger Wan
Zack Haikal has joined 2016 MSL runners up Felda United.

Kelantan finished a respectable fourth in the MSL last season, much owed to the discipline and
vision that Popov instilled in the team when he took over in May.

40