KUALA LUMPUR: Though initially, as many as six candidates were said to be eyeing the FA of Malaysia's (FAM) presidency. it could just come down to a two-horse race.
The voting for the No. 1 job in Malaysian football could develop into a straight fight between FAM vice president Datuk Joehari Ayub and a 46-year-old individual.
The 61st FAM congress-cum-elections on Feb 15 will see a new president elected to replace the outgoing Tan Sri Hamidin Amin for the 2025-2029 term.
Former FAM deputy president Datuk Seri Afandi Hamzah, Tickethotline CEO Datuk Azril Mat Drus and former FAM head of marketing Sayf Ismail could end up dropping out.
That is because the chances of these "outisders" appear slim due to a lack of support from FAM's 18 "active" affiliates.
Afandi's candidacy has also come under scrutiny following the suspension of Kelantan FA's membership due to irregularities in its recent Annual General Meeting.
A source close to FAM revealed the emergence of a second faction within the national body that will pose a strong challenge to Joehari's camp.
"They're still rallying for support but there is another camp, let's call it 'Team B,' positioning itself.
"The candidates can still change until the Jan 16 deadline. For now, it looks set to be a two-way battle rather than the multi-candidate race initially expected," said the source.
The source revealed that Team B have secured a state FA president as their candidate, and who is backed by the required six nominations for the presidency.
"Whatever the outcome, it's clear this will not be an uncontested race. As the FAM Congress approaches, all stakeholders are hoping for a clean, transparent election process, free of politicking," the source said.
The battles for the two FAM deputy president posts are also intensifying. Incumbents Datuk Yusoff Mahadi and Datuk S. Sivasundaram are seeking re-election, but face stiff competition from FA of Selangor deputy president Datuk Seri Shahril Mokhtar and Malaysian Malays FA president Firdaus Mohamed.
The contests for the four vice president posts are equally competitive. Incumbents Datuk Seri Rosmadi Ismail, Saaran Nadarajah and Datuk Azhar Jamaluddin are defending their seats alongside football legend Datuk Dollah Salleh.