Kota Kinabalu: The status of Sabah Football Association (Safa) and the team's participation in the coming Premier League season will be made clear today (Wednesday) after the extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to be held this afternoon at the Safa office. Presidents of all the 26 affiliates in the State have been called up for the meeting and the main agenda is likely to be the status of State Infrastructure Development Minister, Datuk Peter Anthony who had expressed his intention to step in to lead the association following the resignation of Alijus Sipil recently.
The meeting is also likely to appoint the vacant secretary general post and its two assistants, the treasurer, as well as the six nominated council members. Other important issues to be settled urgently include the outstanding wages of the players, the names of the coaches, team manager and players for the Premier League next season where the deadline for registration is tomorrow (Thursday). Peter who was at the Safa office on Tuesday to have discussions with officials as well as meeting up with some of the players said all questions will be answered today.
In a brief interview with the media, he said he is confident to get the nod in the meeting to lead the association. "It is up to them to make the decision at the meeting tomorrow but I am confident to get the supports from them,' he said. He also dismissed suggestion that his intention is to take over Safa and drop all the present committees.
"We are here just to fill in the available vacancies and what is important now is to register the players and the filling in the position of president, secretary general, treasurer, head coach and team manager otherwise we may not be able to participate in the Premier League next season." Peter had earlier confirmed his interest to lead Safa in his speech during the launch of the Kadazan Dusun Murut Malaysia (DMM) Football League 2018- 2019 at the Keningau Sports Complex on Saturday. He said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie has given him the mandate to take over the ailing Safa, which he admitted is a very heavy task but accepted the challenge for the sake of Sabah football.
