PAFA Plan to Join A1 League Next Season
PAFA, in a statement posted on the official Perak FA Facebook page, said its main focus at present is to build a team around the Perak Malaysia Games (SUKMA) squad, which will form the backbone of The Bos Gaurus' domestic revival.
'Planning is actively under way to enter the AFL‑organised League as a starting point, while also making long‑term preparations for SUKMA 2026, the 2026 President's Cup and the 2026 Youth Cup.
bootstrap slideshow
'We greatly appreciate the strong support of the state government led by Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, who has always been attentive and committed to helping PAFA drive football development in the state,' the statement said.
On 22 May, AFL chairman Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mahadi welcomed the participation of Perak and Kedah Darul Aman FC (KDA FC) in the A1 League after both clubs failed to secure the National Licence, ending the 2018 Malaysia Cup champions' (Perak FC's) hopes of playing in next season's Super League.
The two teams' failure to meet the financial criteria laid out in the Malaysian Football League Club Licensing Regulations 2024‑2025 (MFL CLR) was the main reason their national licences were rejected.
PAFA said its president, Datuk Mohd Azhar Jamaluddin, has already held a series of strategic meetings with senior football leaders, including Mohd Yusoff, to discuss direction, eligibility and entry requirements for the Amateur League, President's Cup, Youth Cup, A1 League, and future national‑licence applications.
As the state's governing body for football, PAFA acknowledged fans' disappointment but called for everyone to unite, rebuild and sow fresh hope.
'We do not promise miracles, but we promise extraordinary resolve and determination, a fighting spirit that never knows defeat. Stay with us — for the crest, for honour, for Perak Darul Ridzuan,' the statement said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
4 days ago
- The Star
AMD teens experience whole new ball game in Sarajevo
PETALING JAYA: Three Akademi Mokhtar Dahari (AMD) players – Izzuddin Afif Nazaruddin, Ilhaam Azani Mohd Azamin and Iman Danish Mohd Shukor – are gaining invaluable experience from training with Bosnian Premier League club FK Sarajevo. The trio, aged between 16 and 17, are on a three-week stint in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, until July 26. Izzuddin spoke about how their training experiences in Bosnia were very different from their experiences back home. ''The pace and intensity of the game in Bosnia are very high and what I learnt is to dribble with ease and not to hold the ball for too long,'' said Izzuddin. As for Iman, he highlighted the strong physical attributes of the players he had seen in Sarajevo. ''The important thing I learnt here is their perspective on decision-making - like what to do before and after I have received the ball.'' Ilhaam said the unpredictable weather conditions in Sarajevo also affected their training differently. ''What I am learning here is that the weather in Sarajevo is very unpredictable as sometimes it can be very hot and at other times very cold, which is something new to me,' said Ilhaam, who admired the discipline and endurance of the players at FK Sarajevo. ''The Bosnian players are very disciplined both on and off the field and they have great endurance.'' The three youngsters hope to get selected to play at FK Sarajevo professionally in the future and will be out to make Malaysia proud. Ilhaam and Izzuddin represented Malaysia in the AFC Under-17 Asian Cup Qualifiers in Laos and are currently part of AMD's U-17 squad in the President's Cup while Iman recently played for the national U-16 squad at the FIFA Youth Series held from May 18-22 in Zurich, Switzerland. The opportunity in Sarajevo comes at the initiative of the National Football Development Programme and National Sports Council (NSC), with strong support from the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and FK Sarajevo's owners Tan Sri Vincent Tan and Ismir Mirvic.
New Straits Times
12-07-2025
- New Straits Times
KLFA's golden jubilee marks new era for football in the capital
KUALA LUMPUR: The Kuala Lumpur FA (KLFA) marked its 50th anniversary on Saturday with a bold pledge — to return football to its roots and revive the game where it truly belongs: among the people. No longer defined by just roaring crowds at Merdeka Stadium or professional glories, KLFA is shifting its focus to public parks, school fields, and grassroots pitches across the capital. Its patron Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the association is moving in a new direction, one that places youth development and community engagement above all else. "Today, we're not just celebrating KLFA's golden jubilee. We're charting a new course for football in the capital," he said on Saturday. "Our priority now is grassroots development, especially among Under-12, U-14 and U-16 players, with a focus on multi-racial inclusion and reaching children from B40 families." The vision is to make football accessible again and use it as a tool for unity and upward mobility. KLFA is strengthening partnerships with the Education Ministry to revive football in schools and with the Youth and Sports Ministry to train coaches and expand outreach. Public fields will be revitalised into active community hubs. The association also aims to boost inclusivity, giving more support to the Youth Cup, President's Cup, and its women's teams. "We want long-term, balanced growth across all levels," said Fahmi. While planning for the future, KLFA still takes pride in KL City FC, which it hails as a symbol of urban resilience and fighting spirit. Fahmi stressed the need for a clear pathway from community football to the professional stage. "I thank the Federal Territories Ministry, KL City Hall, our sponsors, and all supporters of KL football," he said. "KLFA has written history over the past 50 years — now is the time to build a braver, more inclusive and united future."
New Straits Times
11-07-2025
- New Straits Times
Prize money doubled but pro clubs crowd A1 Semi-Pro League
KUALA LUMPUR: The A1 Semi-Pro League is set for a revamp next season, with prize money doubled from RM100,000 to RM200,000, but eyebrows are being raised over the influx of full-fledged professional teams. Amateur Football League (AFL) chairman Datuk Yusoff Mahadi said the financial boost is aimed at lifting the standard and intensity of the competition. "We've increased the prize money to RM200,000 for the new season. It's a 100 per cent jump. While it may not sound like much, it's a move to inject more excitement and competitiveness," said Yusoff, who is also FA of Malaysia (FAM) deputy president. However, the make-up of the 16 confirmed teams has triggered concerns, with several professional outfits and feeder squads included, raising questions about the league's semi-pro status. Among the teams are top-tier reserve sides JDT II and Selangor II, as well as Immigration II, Kelantan WTS, Armed Forces, Malaysian University, Manjung City, Bunga Raya, Perlis GSA, UM-Damansara United, Machan, and South Korean amateur outfit FC Seoul Phoenix. Also entering are former Super League sides Kedah Darul Aman and Perak, both of whom failed to obtain national licences. Their inclusion brings top-flight experience but adds to the growing imbalance. Under AFL rules, teams must have at least 10 contracted players to qualify as semi-pro. But Yusoff admitted many clubs are fielding fully professional squads. "Although the minimum is 10 contracted players, several teams have gone full professional. It's almost a pro league now, just under a semi-pro label," he said. The shift has led to concerns that the league — meant as a bridge between amateur and professional levels — is being skewed in favour of clubs with superior infrastructure, threatening its development-focused purpose.
