Kota Kinabalu: The outstanding salaries of Rhino players were settled by Datuk Peter Anthony within hours after he was appointed Acting President of Sabah Football Association (Safa), Wednesday afternoon.
The players were seen heaving a sigh of relief after the State Infrastructure Development Minister kept his words when he said he will settle the amount owed to the players that stretched back to four months before Christmas if he is to lead Safa. He was understood to have met and paid each of the players personally at the Safa office immediately after he chaired a press conference.
Earlier, he thanked all district FA's representatives for their attendance to ensure that his appointment as well the other key positions of the association could be filled. Apart from his appointment as acting president, the secretary general post went to Andrew Majangim, Yap Wai Loon as the treasurer and Henry Saimpon is the new Premier League team manager while Jelius Ating is retained as head coach.
Peter also reviewed the names of the 16 players who will be signed for the new season. "I have agreed on the suggestion to continue with the 16 players from last season. Although we need at least 28-30 players for the whole season, but for the time being we will submit the 16 names first," he said.
The players who are retained are captain Rawilson Batuil, Dendy Lowa, Jenius Karib, Randy Baruh, Maxsius Musa, Umareng Bacok, Azizzan Nordin, Sabri Sahar, Ricco Nigel Milus, Azwan Fattah, Rahman Shah Marajeh, Justin Samaan , Mazlan Yahya, Sakri Masri, Rendy Robsin Rening and Rozaimi Rohim. He also said the vacant positions in Safa will be discussed later, as the immediate task for the meeting on Wednesday was also to make sure that the team can compete in the Premier League next season.
"Without at least two third attendance from the district FA chiefs in the meeting today we could not have made the decision on the key issues. The team may have to miss the deadline for the league next season that will resulted in a three-year ban, and I am very thankful for those who came today to give their full support to the association," he said. Also present at the press conference were Deputy President I, Hj Hamid Apdal, Deputy President II, Dato' Rahman Zakaria and others. - GL Oh
