FAM President Dato' Hamidin Mohd Amin on press conference after the launch of F:30 Roadmap FAM at Kuala Lumpur. FAIHAN GHANI/The Star.
PETALING JAYA: The road to the Olympics is never easy for the athletes, but the path isn’t smooth either for the chef de mission (CDM). Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin (pic) will attest to that.
Paris Olympics CDM Hamidin has been feeling the weight of the role lately, but he’s taking it in his stride.
Hamidin had come under fire recently after the national contingent’s outfit received backlash, with many stating that the design lacked creativity.
However, Hamidin was not responsible for the design, as it was between the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) and apparel sponsor Yonex.
Also the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) president, Hamidin felt the pressure as Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah slammed the Malaysian Football League (MFL) for Selangor’s punishment for refusing to play the Charity Shield match against Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) on May 10.
“Since a few days back, a lot of people have told me maybe there’s an upside to all of this,” said Hamidin.
“I believe there is wisdom in what is happening. When we face trials, it can be a form of atonement or a means to improve ourselves, so I accept it and will face it.
“If I’m wrong I’ll admit it, if I do it right, I’ll do it right.
“I will do my best for Malaysia, and for football as long as I’m in this position,” he said at the National Women’s Football League’s launch at Lalaport Bukit Bintang City Centre in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
The MFL had issued a RM100,000 fine and a three-point deduction to Selangor over their decision to withdraw from the Charity Shield match last month.
They also said the home game between Selangor and JDT to be played in Petaling Jaya without spectators.
Sultan Sharafuddin said the punishments were “excessive and illogical” as the win was awarded to JDT.
Hamidin said he had requested an audience with the Sultan to resolve the issue, adding that he had been in touch with the Selangor Palace on Wednesday to meet with Sultan Sharafuddin.
“I have contacted the Selangor Palace, and have sent a letter requesting an audience with Sultan Sharafuddin,” said Hamidin.
“I understand the Sultan’s extreme disappointment. Let me meet with the Sultan. I will try to resolve this matter.
Hamidin also confirmed that FAM had received Football Association of Selangor (FAS) deputy president Datuk Seri Shahril Mokhtar’s resignation letter to give up all his posts in FAM yesterday.
He said Shahril’s now-vacant positions, including the sponsorship and marketing committee chairman and national Under-23 squad manager, will remain empty until FAM’s election congress next year.
