FAM should disallow any team from turning down a chance to play at an AFC or FIFA-sanctioned competition, says ex-AFC secretary-general Peter Vellapan.
The 82-year-old veteran football administrator said local teams should take part in international competitions as it helped their players learn and improve from the exposure.
“Pahang is depriving its own players of the chance to learn and gain valuable experience.
“FAM needs to start making it compulsory for all teams who want to play in the Malaysian leagues to also participate in all AFC or FIFA-sanctioned tournaments they may qualify for,” Vellapan said.
He added that there was no doubt as to how much a Malaysian team and its players could benefit from playing at a higher level of football.
“Players will have their skills, and physical and mental strength put to the test as they will be exposed to different styles of football and environments.”
Pahang, runners-up at this year’s FA Cup tournament, were invited to replace Kedah in the AFC Cup after the Red Eagles were barred from the competition. This followed the FA Cup’s champions failure to obtain an AFC licence when they did not submit their audited accounts on time.
However, the Pahang FA surprisingly turned down the chance, citing their desire to focus on the Malaysia Super League, a move that was criticised by FAM president Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.
Velappan, who was with the AFC for nearly 30 years after having served FAM since the late 1950s, said Tunku Ismail was right in making the criticism.
Commenting on Pahang’s rationale that they wanted to focus on the domestic league, Velappan said it was important for players and teams to learn and grow, and not just aim to be champions in Malaysia.
“We mustn’t be afraid to learn. We learn after every game. You might face tough competition overseas, but don’t let this be a deterrent from competing in the AFC Cup. It’s not just about results but also development,” he said.
Recently, Tunku Ismail, the Crown Prince of Johor, said Pahang was sending the “wrong signals” to other teams in declining to play in the AFC Cup.
There’s no Malaysia in Malaysian football, says Peter Velappan
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