Sekalung Penghargaan

  

Saya, Lt Jen Dato’ Azzuddin Ahmad (Bersara), Setiausaha Agung Persatuan Bolasepak Malaysia (FAM), ingin memaklumkan bahawa saya telah menerima surat perlantikkan sebagai Setiausaha Agung Persatuan Bolasepak ASEAN (AFF) dari KDYMM Sultan Ahmad Shah, Presiden AFF, pada hari Ahad 23 Jun 2013, untuk mengisi jawatan Setiausaha Agung AFF mulai 1 Julai 2013.

Di kesempatan ini, saya ingin merakamkan setinggi-tinggi penghargaan dan ucapan ribuan terima kasih kepada semua Editor, Penerbit dan wartawan sukan media cetak dan elektronik, yang telah memberi kerjasama dan bantuan dari segi terutamanya liputan sukan bolasepak Negara sejak saya menjawat jawatan Setiausaha Agung FAM pada 17 September 2007 sehingga sekarang.

 Saya mengambil iktibar dari semua kritikan yang membina dan menerima semua kritikan negatif dengan hakikat di dalam apa jua isu wujudnya pendapat dan fahaman yang berlainan.

Seterusnya, saya memohon ribuan maaf sekiranya di dalam jawatan Setiausaha Agung FAM, saya terkasar bahasa dan tersalah laku terhadap mana-mana pihak.

Akhir kata, adalah diharapkan saya akan dapat kerjasama dan bantuan dari semua pihak di dalam jawatan baru saya.

Sekian, terima kasih.

R.I.P Kathiravale

Mr. S. Kathiravale KMN, International Soccer Referee and Hockey Umpire, passed away Wednesday morning (12/6/13) at 5.00am. Funeral will be held at the :Loke Yew Crematorium at 5pm.
His address is: No 20, Jalan Awan Merah, Taman Yarl, Jalan Klang Lama.

He was born on 1 st October 1929 (84 years old). May his soul rest in peace.

Kathrivale was an International FIFA Referee and also officiated at the 1975 World Cup Hockey held in Kuala Lumpur.

He leaves behind wife S. Sarasvathi, children K. Ananthavel, Dr. K. Sivakumar and K. Sivapan and their spouses and children.

Selangor Hockey Association Secretary, Kuganeson Poolagasingam said the association mourns the loss of a sportsman, a friend and a mentor who has contributed so much to hockey and football, not on in Selangor but nationally and internationally.

On May 3 2013, he was awarded the AFC Distinguished Service Award for 30 years of service in football. This award is given to officials who have given their valuable services for the development and promotion of Football.

Asia's Grassroots Day

Wednesday (15 May 2013) marks another milestone in Asian football as member associations throughout the continent celebrate the AFC Grassroots Day.

Several member associations observed the occasion earlier while others commemorate the historic day on a later date, depending on their unique circumstances and footballing calendar.

The celebrations will take place on the day itself or over several days or even for an extended period of time. 

In Pakistan, a Grassroots Football Festival will be held on 15 May itself and 70 qualified FIFA Grassroots Coaches will be mobilised by the Pakistan Football Federation to 70 centres and their teams (25 players each) to organise the festival.

In Australia, the celebration was a month-long, from 17 March to 17 April. The nationwide Grassroots Football Month was the launch of grassroots coach education and consisted of coaching courses, ‘Game Leader’ and ‘Instructor Referee’ courses to educate the football community on the Laws of the Game for Small Sided Football (FFA’s introductory grassroots format).

Most importantly, children from the age of four to 11 were provided opportunities to experience and play football in a gala day-style event or through various activities facilitated by FFA’s Member Federations.

In Bhutan, the celebration will take place in 10 districts with the involvement of all stakeholders and communities in the regions. Bhutan Football Federation’s focal persons and trained grassroots coaches will be executing the programme and it will be done as per the grassroots mandates.

In Chinese Taipei, the Chinese Taipei Football Association will combine the final tournament of the Taiwan Youth League with the celebration of the AFC Grassroots Day.

The U-10 and U-12 competitions for boys and girls in the tournament are being held from 10 to 20 May to coincide with the AFC Grassroots Day. The Taiwan Youth League, which runs twice yearly, is a two to three-month league for the U-8s, U-10s and U-12s, with a final cup tournament in May for the U-10s and U-12s.

In Guam, the Guam Football Association set a new football tradition during its ‘Jamboree Day’ on 20 April by incorporating the grassroots concept into its celebration in conjunction with the AFC Grassroots Day and Grassroots Year.

As per tradition, the youth league commenced from February through April with a 10-week schedule. During this spring league, a total of 110 teams played over 600 games.

The most important event was the 10th event in which the U-6s and U-10s had “Jamboree Day”, a special day that many parents, families, coaches and players spent all day at the Guam Football National Training Center with canopies filled with food, drinks, trophies and full smiles/laughter while the kids played two to three mini games throughout the day.

The second event to incorporate the Grassroots Day concept will take place in August when the Guam FA implements the planned FIFA Grassroots Course tentatively scheduled for 22-25 August.

In India, 20 grassroots festivals will be organised simultaneously by the All India Football Federation across the country to be conducted by grassroots leaders trained under the FIFA and AIFF grassroots programmes over the past year.

An AIFF Grassroots Course will also be held from 20 to 24 May in the state of Manipur to be managed by Manipur FA. The AIFF also aims to spread the grassroots programme to five states this year in collaboration with the respective state FAs.

They will introduce the AIFF grassroots programme in each state through the grassroots centers and a comprehensive grassroots development plan to reach every district in the state. FIFA is also supporting the AIFF with a grassroots course in Mumbai this year.

In Japan, the celebration of the AFC Grassroots Year 2013 and AFC Grassroots Day promises to be an extravaganza with the involvement of almost 5,000 children during two grassroots festivals. The Japan Football Association (JFA) will celebrate the occasions by organising the JFA Kids Soccer Festival at the Yafuoku Dome on 18 May and at the Tokyo Dome the next day.

About 2,400 boys and girls aged six or below will take part in each of the two events, where guests will introduce the AFC Grassroots Year and AFC Grassroots Day in their opening remarks. There will be photo sessions with all participants and staff in front of the AFC Grassroots Year 2103 flags during the festivals.

JFA Football Calendars bearing the AFC Grassroots Year 2013 logo will be distributed to around 150,000 people at 700 venues in other JFA festivals throughout the year to further raise awareness of the importance of grassroots football.

In the Maldives, 32 teams will take part in a Grassroots Festival to be organised by the Football Association of Maldives on 17 May. About 200 kids aged between six and 12 will take part in the six-a-side, 10-minute matches, where each team will play a minimum of three matches.

The AFC has designated this year as the AFC Grassroots Year, aptly themed ‘Let’s Play!’, and is encouraging Member Associations to organise activities to promote and emphasise that football is accessible and socially beneficial to everyone and that a strong foundation will allow players to progress to the elite level.

The AFC Grassroots Day on 15 May coincides with the International Family Day and will be celebrated throughout the week or other times suitable for the MAs.

At the continental level, a three-day AFC Grassroots Workshop will be held from Wednesday in Kuala Lumpur which offers MA grassroots representatives an opportunity to review, reflect and discuss grassroots philosophies, age appropriate coaching trends, player pathways and development activities benchmarked against international standards.

The workshop will include presentations on grassroots structure and policy, MA projects, grassroots futsal, actions to promote growth and retention, inclusion for all values, workgroup discussion forum and grassroots football recommendations for Asia.. AFC

Dato Seri Paul honored

The recognition for Dato Sri Paul Mony Samuel could not have been more precise as the National Sports Council (NSC) gave due recognition to one of Malaysian football’s enduring icon with the National Sports Leadership Award in a glittering ceremony, Tuseday (16/4/13).

The NSC National Sports Awards ceremony was attended by Tuanku Alhaj Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia as the guest of honour.

Also in attendance were Dato Sri Shabery Cheek, the Malaysian Minister for Youth and Sports and Datuk Zolkples Embong, the director general of the NSC. To receive the award on behalf of Dato Sri Paul was his wife Datin Sri Christine Lim.

With Dato Sri Paul set to retire from football and also from his position as the general secretary of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) this year, the regional body had earlier in the month decided to confer him with the honour of being the Honorary Life General Secretary position.

Dato Sri Paul was born in Kuala Ketil, Kedah where he received his early education at the St.Theresa’s Primary School before moving on to Ibrahim Secondary School and then at the University Pertanian Malaysia.

Other than having played football for the state of Kedah, Dato Sri Paul also has a Diploma in Football Coaching from the FA of England.

Dato Sri Paul served the FA of Malaysia (FAM) for 18 years before moving on to take up position as the FIFA Development Officer, the AFC General Secretary, and then as the General Secretary of the AFF.

He has been appointed as FIFA General Coordinator for FIFA World Cup since the 1994 edition in the United States.

In 2008, Dato Sri Paul was awarded with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the NSC National Football Awards.

Dato Sri Paul will turn 68-years-old this August.

FanXT is the Official Fantasy Football Provider

Veikkausliiga, Finland’s premier football division, has taken FanXT on board as the official provider of the Veikkausliiga Fantasy Football and Veikkausliiga Prediction game for the next 3 years. With this year’s league just started, the fantasy installment of the Veikkausliiga had already begun, with the first gameweek started on 13 April 2013.

Veikkausliiga is the top division league of Finnish football, consisting 12 football clubs in Finland. Founded in 1990, Veikkausliiga is ranked as the 28th best league in Europe as of 2011. Now, FanXT provides a platform for both Veikkausliiga and its fans to connect on another level.

Fans have a lot to anticipate, in addition enhancing their experience of Veikkausliiga – all for free.

Among the highlights of the Fantasy Veikkausliiga are:

§  Detailed graph analysis of players

§  Earning experience points with the progression of the league

§  Ability to compete with other private leagues

§  Invite friends to join via Facebook

The game offers fans a starting budget of $130 million to create their own virtual football team. As they climb up the ranks and earn medals, top managers will compete to accomplish the coveted rank of the Legendary Veikkausliiga Manager – the game’s highest honour.

The Veikkausliiga Prediction Game also gives football fans the chance to predict match scores.

Non-Finnish fantasy sports enthusiasts from around the world are also not left behind. FanXT, sticking true to their role as a global fantasy sports provider, is also offering this game in English to not only increase Veikkausliiga’s reach internationally but also offers avid fantasy sports fans from any background yet another chance in their quest to be the ultimate fantasy manager.

Start your own fantasy Veikkausliiga’s team at http://fantasyveikkausliiga.fanxt.com   today.

AFF Awards 2013

Eighteen awards will be presented to distinguished individuals who have helped sculpt the development of football in ASEAN, according to a statement by AFF. The statement was released during a ceremony to celebrate the sponsors of AFF Awards 2013.

The sponsors including Tourism Malaysia, Telekom Malaysia, Genting Malaysia, Pahang State Government, Football Association of Malaysia and Hyatt Regency Kuantan were welcomed by AFF Awards 2013 Organising Chairman, Tengku Mahkota of Pahang, HRH Tengku Abdullah Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah.

“It is indeed gratifying to note that we have such incredible support from our sponsors who have come in with such generosity and commitment. We are very appreciative of this and thanks to these partners, we are confident that AFF Awards 2013 will be a great success,” said Tengku Abdullah.

During the ceremony, AFF also announced that His Excellency Tengku Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Ahmad Rithauddeen, who was Federation President from 1996 to 2011, will receive the AFF Life Service Award at the AFF Awards 2013 to be held on April 3.

He is credited to have led AFF’s revival in 1996, playing a major role in the Federation’s success over the years, including hosting the AFF Suzuki Cup. He is also AFF’s Honorary Life President and has demonstrated a strong and sincere dedication to the betterment of ASEAN football during his presidency and beyond.

The Federation is also conferring the ASEAN Goodwill Award to HRH Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah, who is being recognised for outstanding acts and gestures of goodwill and fair play during the year.

AFF noted that when His Excellency Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen stepped down from the presidency in 2010 and was succeeded by His Royal Highness Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah, the ASEAN Football Federation grew from strength to strength. Its foundation became stronger, with the new president aiming to not only lift the sport to a higher level; but to also provide assistance and much-needed aid through humanitarian efforts and philanthropy.

In 2012, the Mindanao islands in the Philippines were devastated by typhoon Bopha.  Entire communities vanished overnight, washed away in mudslides and flash floods.  His Royal Highness Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah rallied the Council of the ASEAN Football Federation to raise funds amounting to USD100, 000 to help communities rebuild their lives.

The Federation will also applaud the achievements of outstanding individuals and teams who have made exemplary contributions to football.

AFF highlighted that the winners have been chosen by a selection committee who monitored each award recipient’s play and progress during each game in the AFF Suzuki Cup 2012 and other competitions organized by AFF, AFC and FIFA.

The AFF Awards Night 2013 will see 16 other awards including AFF Player of the Year, AFF Referee of the Year, and AFF National Team of the Year conferred to ASEAN’s most illustrious individuals and teams in the football world (Please refer to the attachment for a full list of the Nominees).

               

Recipients & Nominees

                  1)     AFF Life Service Award

Awarded by the selection committee based on the body of work of the individual

Recipient: H.E. Tengku Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Ahmad Rithauddeen

                 2)     ASEAN Goodwill Award

Awarded for outstanding acts and gestures of goodwill and fair play through football

Recipient: H.R.H. Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta'in Billah Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Abu Bakar

                 3)     AFF Best XI

Awarded by the technical study group based on performances in the AFF Suzuki Cup 2012

          Recipients:

Goalkeeper             : Kawin Thamsatchanan (THA)

Right Back              : Nguyen Minh Duc (VIE)

Centre Back            : Baihakki Khaizan (SIN)

Left Back               : Panupong Wongsa (THA)

Left Back               : Theerathon Bunmathan (THA)

Right Midfield        : Kyi Lin (MYA)

Centre Midfield      : Mustafic Fahrudin (SIN)

Centre Midfield      : Safiq Rahim (Mas)

Left Midfield          : Anucha Kitpongsri (THA)

Striker                    : Mohd Shahril Ishak (SIN)

Striker                   : Teerasil Dangda (THA)

4                  4)     Best Goal in the AFF Suzuki Cup 2012

Recipient: Teerasil Dangda – Jersey No. 10 (THA)- AFF Suzuki Cup 2012

Semi Final 1 (1st Leg) 09 Dec 2012.

Malaysia vs Thailand

5                5)     AFF Futsal Team of the Year

Awarded to an ASEAN Team with the most outstanding performance at AFF, AFC and FIFA Futsal Competitions

Recipient: Thailand

           6)     AFF Association of the Year

Awarded to the Member Association who has led development activities at the AFF, AFC or FIFA level with unparalleled professionalism. Execution of AFF activities including competitions, courses and council meetings were carried out with competence and proficiency.

         

Nominees:

·         All Member Associations

          7)     AFF Referee of the Year (Men)

Awarded to the ASEAN Referee who has performed consistently at an outstanding level in AFF, AFC and/or FIFA competitions.

Nominees:

·         Abdul Malik Abdul Bashir (SIN)

·         Chaiya Alee Mahapab (THA)

         8)     AFF Referee of the Year (Women)

Awarded to the ASEAN Referee who has performed consistently at an outstanding level in AFF, AFC and/or FIFA competitions.

           

            Nominees:

·                     Abirami Apbai Naidu (SIN)

·                     Pannipar Kamnueng (THA)

          9)     AFF Assistant Referee of the Year (Men)

Awarded to an ASEAN Assistant Referee who has performed consistently at an outstanding level in AFF, AFC and/or FIFA competitions

         

Nominees:

·         Mohd Sabri Mat Daud (MAS)

·         Jeffrey Goh Gek Pheng (SIN)

·         Tang Yew Mun (SIN)

          10)                        AFF Assistant Referee of the Year (Women)

Awarded to an ASEAN Assistant Referee who has performed consistently at an outstanding level in AFF, AFC and/or FIFA competitions

Nominees:

·         Widiya Habibah Shamsuri (MAS)

·         Praphaiphit Tarik (THA)

           11)                        AFF Player of the Year (Men)

Awarded to an ASEAN Player who has performed outstandingly in AFF, AFC and/or FIFA competitions in 2012

            Nominees:

·         Teerasil Dangda (THA)

·         Mohd. Shahril Ishak (SIN)

·         Emelio Asada Caligdong (PHI)

·         Kyi Lin (MYA)

            12)                        AFF Player of the Year (Women)

Awarded to an ASEAN Player who has performed outstandingly in AFF, AFC and/or FIFA competitions in 2012

           

            Nominees:

·         Junpen Seesraum (THA)

·         Dang Thi Kieu Trinh (VIE)

·         San San Maw (MYA)

             13)                        AFF Youth Player of the Year

Awarded to an ASEAN Youth Player who has performed outstandingly in AFF, AFC and/or FIFA competitions in 2012

            Nominees:

·         Chanathip Songkrasin (THA)

·         Nguyen Van Quyet (VIE)

·         Keoviengphet Liththideth (LAO)

             14)                         AFF Futsal Player of the Year

Awarded to an ASEAN Futsal Player who has performed outstandingly in AFF, AFC and/or FIFA competitions in 2012

Nominees:

·         Suphawut Thuenklang (THA)

·         Nguyen Bao Quan (VIE)

·         Pyae Phyo Aung (MYA)

               15)                        AFF Coach of the Year (Men's Team)

Awarded to a National Team Coach who has performed outstandingly in AFF, AFC and/or FIFA competitions in 2012

Nominees:

·         Radojko Avramovic (SIN)

·         Winfried Anton Schafer (THA)

·         Hans Micheal Weiss (PHI)

·         Datuk Rajagobal R. Krishnasamy (MAS)

                16)                        AFF Coach of the Year (Women's Team)

Awarded to a National Team Coach who has performed outstandingly in AFF, AFC and/or FIFA competitions in 2012

           

Nominees:

·         Chen Yun Fa (VIE)

·         Kumada Yoshinori (MYA)

·         Han Wong Chol (LAO)

               17)                        AFF National Team of the Year (Men)

Awarded to a National Team who has performed outstandingly in AFF, AFC and/or FIFA competitions in 2012

Nominees:

·         Singapore

·         Thailand

·         Philippines

·         Malaysia

                18)                        AFF National Team of the Year (Women)

Awarded to a National Team who has performed outstandingly in AFF, AFC and/or FIFA competitions in 2012

Nominees:

·         Vietnam

·         Myanmar

·         Thailand

·         Laos

Manilal Fernando suspended

ZURICH — The fallout from the Mohamed bin Hammam corruption scandal in soccer led to FIFA suspending another leading Asian member of its executive committee on Monday.

Vernon Manilal Fernando of Sri Lanka, a close ally of the disgraced former FIFA presidential candidate, has been banned from any soccer activities for up to 90 days.

FIFA said this was “to prevent interference with the establishment of the truth” during an ethics investigation.

The suspension relates to the investigation by FIFA prosecutor Michael J. Garcia into the alleged misuse of Asian Football Confederation accounts and conflicts of interest in commercial contracts while bin Hammam was president.

Fernando’s case has been sent to the adjudicatory chamber of FIFA’s ethics committee for a decision. Calls to his mobile telephone were not returned Monday.

FIFA hasn’t indicated any specific allegations against Fernando, who joined the governing body’s inner circle under bin Hammam’s patronage.

The 63-year-old Fernando is barred from involvement in the March 20-21 FIFA board meeting in Zurich, which will recommend ongoing anti-corruption reforms. They were sparked by the bin Hammam scandal and bribery allegations surrounding the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding contest.

Hammam resigned from all soccer-related positions in December and was banned for life by FIFA after its ethics committee charged him with repeated violations while leading the AFC.

The Qatari official got his second life ban since he challenged Sepp Blatter for the FIFA presidency in 2011.

Hammam won a Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling last year to overturn the first ban. The court said FIFA hadn’t proven bin Hammam paid $40,000 bribes in cash to Caribbean officials despite presenting whistleblower evidence.

Fernando, who is a lawyer, was among a group of senior soccer officials who accompanied Hammam on that May 2011 trip to Trinidad to woo voters three weeks ahead of the FIFA election. Bin Hammam, who claims Blatter helped orchestrate the scandal, withdrew his candidacy as FIFA prepared to suspend him days before polling.

Fernando was questioned by investigators from former FBI Director Louis Freeh’s agency about his role.

Garcia launched a second probe of Hammam in one of his first cases since being appointed FIFA’s lead prosecutor last July.

A yearlong audit by the Malaysia-based Asian confederation revealed “infringements” regarding the “execution of certain contracts” and tampering with the organization’s bank accounts by Hammam while he was president since 2002.

Hammam was a former ally of Blatter and had been appointed to chair its Goal Bureau distributing millions of dollars of development funding each year.

Fernando was effectively Hammam’s point man in south Asia as FIFA’s development officer based in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

In January 2011, Fernando was elected by Asian soccer nations as one of their four delegates on FIFA’s ruling executive committee. On the same day in Doha,  Hammam was re-elected unopposed as AFC president and prepared to take on Blatter.

With a scheduled May 2 election to choose a new AFC president, Fernando is now barred from campaigning for one of the four candidates. Three are former allies of  Hammam.