KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah FA is considering appealing to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to allow Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities Datuk Anifah Aman to remain as its president.
Its executive secretary Harry Baking said here yesterday that the Sabah FA would hold a meeting at the end of November with representatives of all its six zones, namely Tawau, Sandakan, West Coast, Beaufort, Kudat and Keningau, to decide whether it should make an appeal.
“If they disagree (to make an appeal), then we will discuss his (Anifah) successor.”
Meanwhile, when contacted by New Sabah Times Sport yesterday, Anifah said he would be very busy as the Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities and also the Kimanis Member of Parliament, but would not mind to act as an advisor for the FA.
Harry also said that the contracts of players for the next season of the Malaysian League would be signed in a couple of weeks’ time.
“We have identified some of the local players but have not decided on the foreign players.
“We are looking at a Nigerian striker who has been training (here) for about two weeks now, while a Brazilian midfielder will arrive soon for trials.”
However, Harry said Bosnian defender Dragic Dalidor, who signed with the team late last season, would probably don Sabah colours for the next season.
Meanwhile, Nigerian striker Charles Obi, who emerged as the team’s top scorer last season with 25 goals and who is now away on holiday, will return soon.
“However, his contract extension is subject to a medical examination as he is recuperating from a broken arm after being involved in a car accident,” said Harry.
