New Sabah Times
By FRANCIS XAVIER
KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Peter Anthony has been officially named as the new Sabah Football Association (Safa) Supremo, filling in the vacuum left by Alijus Haji Sipil, who resigned early last month.
The Infrastructure Development Minister got the nod to lead the association and guide them out of troubled waters during Safa’s Extraordinary Congress that was held at its office in Maksak Hall in Likas, near here yesterday.
The Congress that was attended by 23 out of 26 of is affiliate members statewide unanimously agreed for Peter to take charge on a capacity as acting president.
Later at a press conference, Peter did not wait long to sort out some of the mess that has been haunting the association for months now.
This includes the settling of the players’ outstanding salaries, which is believed to be more than four months, at the very least.
Now, the outstanding wages is history, as most of the 2018 squad were been paid their salary dues yesterday.
Peter also named former state player, Andrew Majanggim as the new secretary general, while another former footballer, Henry Saimpon has been named as the new team manager for the state Premier League side, succeeding Datuk Juil Nuatim.
Jelius Ating was also retained as the head coach of the Sabah Rhinos.
Another former state player that has been roped into the state football body is Yap Wai Loon. He has been named as the treasurer.
Peter, in his first address as the acting president, called for a combined effort to ensure the association is run systematically and properly to enable Sabah football to return to its glory days.
“First of all, I want to thank all the district affiliates. It would not be possible to make changes if there were less than two-thirds of attendance today (yesterday). As I have said before, we are not here to get rid of the existing officials but to fill in the important positions.
“I plead that we put aside any differences that may exist among us for the sake of Sabah football. It is not an easy task to lead Safa. In fact, it is a very tall order for me to be at the helm.
That is why I want all to work alongside me under the new management for the betterment of Safa as well as Sabah football.
At the same press conference, he also announced that they have retained 16 of the players for the new season. He said these players will be registered with the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) for the 2019 Malaysian League campaign.
The 16 players as recommended by Jelius are Rawilson Batuil, Randy Baruh, Jenius Karib, Dendy Lowa, Mohd Azzizan Nordin, Maxsius Musa, Ummareng Bacok, Justin Samaan, Ricco Nigel Milus, Sabri Sahar, Mohd Azwan Fattah, Rahman Shah Marajeh, Mazlan Yahya, Rozaimie Rohim, Robson Rendy Rining and Mohd Sakri Masri.
“We are looking at 28 to 30 players for the team but for the first players’ registration which has to be submitted tomorrow (today), there will be 16 of them in the list.
“This is to confirm that we will be taking part in the Premier League next season. There is still time to find suitable players, either locals or imports, for the remaining slots.
Peter did not hide his intention of wanting the team to do well.
He said: “Our ultimate goal is to get out of the Premier League. We have been in the second division for too long. I hope 2019 will be the last year we will play in the lower league. It is one area that we will hope to take care of next year,” he pledged.
Also present yesterday were Safa deputy president I Hamid Apdal and deputy president II Datuk Rahman Zakaria.
