The harsh reality now is that Sarawak football is doomed to endure for another season of failure in 2019.
For many, this is no longer a strange scenario; In fact, defeats are common, and to victory is bizarre.
This is in stark contrast to the 2013 euphoria which saw all Sarawakians rejoiced to the so-called reincarnation of its football after Sarawak FA won the coveted Premier League undefeated.
During those days, a legion of ‘red crocodiles’ conquered Stadium Negeri Sarawak with chants, pyrotechnics and tifos, and one was made to oblige attending every home match. Years after, the cracks however started to show and thus the team known as Bujang Senang were relegated to the sad state they are now in.
Making it worst are side cases and calamities that now not only happen every now and then, but also seem to shadow the team.
This is the ugly truth of Sarawak football.
Back in 2013, the victory was perfect. Local talents started to emerge, and everyone seemed to invest their interests into Sarawak football. But as months and years passed, no one looked deep into what is happening behind the scenes. FAS continued to portray that funds is the real problem for success. However, that ‘sugar that coated’ the team started to wade off and the rot insides began to emerge and seep across the system.
To be honest, we all know the cause to this rot, and now, we are calling for it to stop, hence asking for a total reboot to avoid another iteration.
Sarawak is a vast country which shares the size of Peninsular Malaysia. It boasts great footballing talents yet to be discovered.
Every division hides great footballing potential, whether it is in schools or even rumah panjangs.
We have seen players making it to the Sarawak FA football team main squad, with youngsters joining its President or Youth teams, but the question remains if this model or mechanism is sufficient?
With not more than 300 players a year under the Sarawak FA crest, the question remains if the number is enough, especially considering Sarawak is huge.
This is where we need to question the role of the Football Association of Sarawak (FAS).
FAS has been vital in managing Sarawak FA, the sole football team that represents Sarawak at the Malaysia League.
Over the years, we have seen what they can do – from creating a much-hyped team setup, elaborated designed kits, marques of players and coaches, and championing pride of being a state team.
But Sarawak had never really achieved such feat with a full Sarawakian local player squad, even in the 90s despite its wealth of talents.
It is in our Utopian minds that we can have a very formidable football foundation, strong local league structure, competitive cup tournaments, and great clubs from Sarawak plying trade in the Malaysian Super League. In fact, the Sarawak FA team could become way stronger than the Malaysian national team for that fact.
Sadly, as it stands, it seems that FAS’ top brass are prioritizing only the Sarawak FA team, with little works on Sarawak wide grassroot development. Millions are announced for funding Sarawak FA football team, with the funds sometimes milked off completely and only the leftovers given to developing community football.
It is high time FAS re-aligns how they channel their funds, with more allocated to development than a single football team.
We are not short of resources; there’s abundance for all to unearth. With that, we can say it is better for FAS to undergo a complete reconstruction in terms of purpose, governance, operations and enterprise.
This move if done, would set precedence in Malaysia and give local football clubs and communities assurance to maximizing their potential and become more financial independent, thus enable them to play at highest level possible in Malaysian football scene.
We know it could be months of discussion and arguments, but if FAS is daring to change its tone, a greater Sarawak football will become a reality within the next few years.
The people have woken up. Now the question is will FAS wake up? – SARAWAKCROCS.COM/RSI
