By: Zam Yusa
KOTA KINABALU: Tambadaus’ Serbian striker Luka Milunovic became Sabah FA’s third player to clinch the player of the month award from the Professional Footballers Association of Malaysia (PFAM). Milunovic received the highest votes of 48.51pc (1,956 votes) defeating four other candidates namely Mohammed Ghaddar from JDT II (23.76pc/ 959 votes), Adi Said of UiTM FC (14.86pc / 599 votes), Ramzi Sufian from Terengganu FC II (9.67pc / 390 votes) and Selangor United’s Raslam Khan (3.17pc / 317 votes).
“I’d like to thank all my teammates for helping me win this award and those who nominated me for it, which is my first,” the 26-year-old told reporters. “I hope one of my teammates will win next month’s [March] award and I will try my best to get the best results for my team.” The February 2019 accolade was presented by PFAM Chief Executive Officer Izham Ismail in a brief ceremony at Likas Stadium, here Saturday.
Izham said Milunovic picked up the award after teammates Robson Rendy Rining (February 2018) and Hector Omar Ramos Lebron (June 2018). “I hope Sabah will maintain their form in this league and other competitions,” he said. Serbia’s former U-21 national player received a trophy and a framed picture courtesy of sport photography firm Asiana, a cash prize of RM500, a special jersey from Great Heights and Maselfix-sponsored sports gel. Polls were made through a specially made whirlwind and voters cast their votes via all types of devices and browsers.
The polls were open for ten days for football fans to vote for their favourite candidates. The special award is now in its fifth year after it started in 2015. To date, more than 35 winners have been crowned and more than 250,000 votes received throughout the award. “Hopefully this award can be a driving force for the players to earn more in order to improve their performance,” said Izham. The award is a collaboration between PFAM and Asiana. Before the Saturday game against Penang, Jelius Ating’s side are second in the Malaysia Premier League standings behind JDT II sitting on 12 points from from six matches.
