TMJ announces retirement as president of FAM

PETALING JAYA: Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim quit his position as the president of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) after almost a year in charge.
Announcing his retirement on the FAM's official Facebook page, Tunku Ismail, or better known as TMJ, said his decision was made after failing to improve the national team's International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) ranking.
"Recently the national team's ranking fell 3 places and this is a very big failure. With that being said, I think it is time that President of FAM leave football.
"Thank you for everything and it has been an honour to me to serve Malaysian Football. Good luck," TMJ said.
The latest FIFA ranking released today shows Malaysia national football team was now ranked 178 in the 211-nation organisation.
TMJ noted he has restructured the local football scene even in his short stint as president.
He said among other things he accomplished besides is that he lured sponsors, as well as prepared a long term plan for local football with the cooperation of Spain's La Liga.
"I have fought for broadcasting rights for all competing teams in the Liga Malaysia, to help them manage and strenghten their financial stability.
"History is made when for the first time, all the teams have received between RM1 million to RM3 million annually, so they do not have to be dependent on government funding," he said.
TMJ was elected as FAM president at the FAM congress in March last year.