Penang state government commits to supporting local football development and the Football Association of Penang, despite financial constraints in the Super League.
THE Penang state government remains committed to supporting the Football Association of Penang (FAP) as a platform for developing local players.
This commitment persists despite the association facing financial constraints in the Super League competition.
State Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen said financial might is crucial in modern football for acquiring quality players.
“If we had a bigger budget, surely it would have been easier to form a more competitive team,” he said at a press conference.
Gooi added that FAP fields among the fewest foreign players in the Super League to prioritise local talent.
To strengthen its squad, FAP signed two foreign players during the mid-season transfer window.
The new signings are Brazilian midfielder Erick Brendon and Filipino defender Amirul Kamil Jaser.
Gooi said FAP has also forged collaborations with the private sector to build a sustainable football ecosystem.
This includes sponsorship from local business entity Mat Salleh Bubble.
The state government has contributed RM100,000 to FAP since September 2024 to support grassroots development.
It has also approved writing off FAP’s outstanding Penang City Stadium rental arrears from 1998 to 2016.
The written-off amount totals RM127,168.50.
