By FRANCIS XAVIER Francis@newsabahtimes.com.my
KOTA KINABALU: DYS FC’s preparations for the FAM Cup 2016 challenge took a slight knock after some of its key players seemed reluctant to commit themselves to the team.
That is not all, as they are still without a head coach. With the clock ticking fast, this is not the start any team would want.
At a contract signing ceremony held at a local hotel here on Tuesday, only 17 out of the 25 players put pen to paper while the rest opted not to do so.
But interestingly those who signed saw quite a number of ex-Sabah players either senior or junior pledge to don DYS FC colours in the country’s third tier competition.
Among the footballers are Ibrahim Abu Nawas, Justin Samaan, Hafizan Jahar, Fneckley Baris, Mohd Shahrul Chankui, Mohd Arfiyanshah Abdul Jafar, Mohd Azlan Shah Hassan Nor and Benerlys Raim. The rest of the players who have put pen to paper are Harnoman Appid, Mohd Azfar Ahaja, Asri Mudain, Abdeyfieyan Angkiang, Md Shahrul Asmadi, Md Helmi Ahlok, Alan Doliante, Abdul Hafiz Abdul Madina and Saad Abdul Talip.
But those who refused to sign their contracts on the night include the experienced defender Mohd Reithuddin Emran, Zainizam Marjan, Razid Gafar, Mohd June Azral Lalah, Billy Doliante, Md Azrie Basalie, Azrul Ejati Damsah and Jufrey Omopor.
DYS FC president Faisal Yee said each team could register up to 30 players but he revealed they would submit a 25-member squad for the FAM Cup.
“We will have further negotiations with several players starting tomorrow (today), especially those who have been with the team all this while.
“All the players selected attended the ceremony but as I said we need to have further discussions.
“The closing date of player registration (to Football Association of Malaysia) is on January 18…we are confident of finalising the squad before that,” Faisal said.
The club patron Datuk Yusof Serangit, who graced the ceremony, expressed his hope that the players would show the true spirit of teamwork to achieve excellence in the competition.
He said the club has now entered a new chapter since it was formed and advised those under DYS FC to give it their all in order for the team to succeed.
He also revealed that they are now in talks with several candidates from Peninsular Malaysia with Licence A to be the head coach of DYS FC.
The decision to look elsewhere for a head coach is due to the fact that the state is short in numbers when it comes to coaches with Licence A qualifications.
“Sabah does have coaches with such qualifications but many of them are with Safa (Sabah Football Association). “The FAM is strict when it comes to meeting the criteria but we are in talks with several candidates from Peninsular Malaysia to fill the position.
Yusof also announced at the same function that the team manager is Muhammad Abdul Karim, assistant coaches are Faisal and Rahman Mad Noor, goalkeeper coach Irwan Jamil and safety officer Asmawi Bair.
Apart from looking for a head coach, the club is also in need of a fitness coach and physiotherapist.
For the record, DYS FC are one of the two representatives from Sabah playing in the FAM Cup league. The other team are KDM Malaysia football team KDMM FC.
Both sides will be making their debut in the competition.
Sabah Cebagoo FC were the last team from the state to play in the FAM Cup in 2013 and 2014 before withdrawing from the campaign last season.
