The prayers of Perlis fans to see their team continue playing in the M-League was answered following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's pledge to help the cash-strapped Perlis Football Association (PFA).

Former Perlis FA president Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said the Prime Minister had pledged to assist the association during last week's cabinet meeting.

"The Prime Minister however, did not mention how much financial assistance would be provided to the Perlis FA," he said when asked to comment about claims that the Perlis Premier League team would withdraw from the M-League next season.

Shahidan, who is the advisor to the association had urged the Perlis FA to reconsider the decision to withdraw from the 2017 M-League that kicks off in February.

The former president said he was aware of the sacrifices and contributions made by the Perlis FA president Datuk Rozabil Abdul Rahman because he had to fork out millions of ringgit since taking over as president three years ago.

"Though the Prime Minister has agreed to assist the association, Rozabil would still need to find additional funds to avoid any financial crisis midway through the season," he said.

Meanwhile, speaking of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) leadership, Shahidan welcomed suggestions to elect the Tunku Mahkota of Johor (TMJ) Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim as president.

"TMJ is the right person to spearhead the country's ailing football fortunes and transform it through a new marketing strategy, just like what English Premier League clubs like Chelsea are doing," he said.
- BERNAMA