FAM Hopes SEA Games Squad Placed Under Category A

FAM Hopes SEA Games Squad Placed Under Category A

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 25 (Bernama) -- The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) hopes the Sea Games Selection Committee will place its squad for the Korat Games in December under Category A.

FAM secretary-general Lt Gen (R) Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad said the team was previously placed under Category B based on the poor performance of the senior squad in the Asian Cup campaign in July.

"For the Sea Games, the FAM is sending under-23 players who have proved their worth by winning the Merdeka Football Tournament last month.

"In fact, the squad's target is actually to shine at the Games in Korat, Thailand," he told reporters after meeting the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM)'s Sea Games Selection Committee here Tuesday.

The meeting was held to plead the FAM's case for the team be placed under Category A. The committee's decision is expected to be known tomorrow.

Sea Games athletes sent under Category A will have all their expenses paid by the OCM.

However, sports associations will have to bear costs of theirs' sent under Category B and they will be reimbursed if the athletes bring home at least a silver.

Based on the Sea Games' record, the last time Malaysia won a medal in football was in 2003 in Vietnam when they got a bronze.

-- BERNAMA