It is the public that has to judge if football has indeed improved, and the facts from FAM speaks for themelves, as evident from the declining number of fans at the stadiums.
Well, campaigns are healthy but to blow ones own trumpet surely is something that is cause for concern as no one is saying that it is good for the sport.
Read on.... and make your own assumptions ......
Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) president Sultan Ahmad Shah is set to helm the football governing body in the country for another term, from 2010 to 2014.
"The president is ready to defend his post and lead the FAM for another term," he told Bernama here today.
Azzuddin said Sultan Ahmad Shah's immense contributions over the past 26 years that he had helmed the association, had been instrumental in the development of the sport in the country.
"Since being appointed as the secretary-general two years ago, I have had a very pleasant working relationship with the president and amazed with his love and interest in the sport," he said.
Meanwhile, Azzuddin said if his services as secretary-general were needed, he was ready to take the challenge to continue developing football in the country.
Do not blame Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) for the poor turnout at Malaysian leagues as it is not its responsibility to woo the crowd.
FAM secretary-general Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad said FAM was tasked with the responsibility of ensuring the smooth running of the tournament and selecting accomplished players for the national squad.
"We also ensure that the national football development programme attained a commendable level. FAM is not responsible in drawing the crowd," he told Bernama.
The Malaysian league audience between March 2009 and March this year dropped to 305,000 from 379,000 between March 2007 and March 2008, according to FAM statistics.
Azzuddin said blaming FAM for the depleting audience was the easy way out as critics did not know who should be held responsible.
He said Malaysians were crazy over the English Premier League (EPL) than the Malaysian leagues as they were fascinated with its quality of football.
"We are not blaming them for loving EPL stars better than local footballers," he said, adding that this should be a challenge to local squads to raise their standard.
"I believe Malaysians will support local teams if they improve their standard and performance," he added.
He said huge funds were needed to enhance the standard of local football but FAM itself was bogged down with financial constraints to aide all teams.
"They have to source their own funds to get out of the doldrums. If they have enough money, they football development will thrive," he added.
Companies are knocking on the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) door to sponsor the Malaysian leagues following the national squad's success in clinching the gold medal at the Laos SEA Games last year.
"It was difficult to get sponsors before and FAM had to fork out its funds to finance the leagues.
"But since the Young Tigers squad's achievement in Laos, things are looking brighter. Several companies are making a beeline to sponsor the next season of the M-League," FAM secretary-general Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad told Bernama Monday.
He said FAM would set the sponsorship criteria based on the amount pledged and the background of the companies.
"When the decision is made, FAM will give a six-month notice as stipulated in the contract with previous sponsors before giving the sponsorship rights to new sponsors.
"However, FAM will not sideline our friend, Telekom Malaysia Bhd, who have been very generous in sponsoring Malaysian leagues all this while," he added.
Telekom Malaysia took over from MSL Sdn Bhd, the FAM investment arm, as the main sponsor of the leagues in 2005 with a RM8.5 million deal yearly.
Dunhill, which was FAM main sponsor since 1987, ended its sponsorship following a worldwide campaign against tobacco companies from supporting sports events.
As the main sponsor of the M-League, Telekom Malaysia is given the branding rights in the Super League, Premier League, Malaysia Cup, FA Cup, Youth Cup, President Cup, FAM Cup and Charity Shield (Sultan Ahmad Shah Cup).
