KUCHING: Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg urged local companies and the private sector to come forward and offer sponsorships to local sports associations, particularly Football Association Sarawak (FAS). He said in order for the state to acquire a sports powerhouse status, significant improvement needs to be undertaken, especially in the performance of FAS.
“Hence, the state government cannot be the only one entity to support the team but also companies and organisations, including even the fans. “Of course, in order to rebuild the team, we need to allow those who are leading the team to restructure the team,” said Abang Johari during the launching of FAS new football kit held at MYDIN Supermall, Petra Jaya, on Sunday. Johari’s text of speech was read by the Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports, Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah. The Chief Minister said the state government allocates a special budget for FAS each year but it is not enough to sustain the association’s all-year round activities.
He also hoped that FAS will be able to perform better for the upcoming season, especially in the Premier League. “I hope FAS can move towards the upper group so that the team can participate in the Super League 2019,” said Johari. Meanwhile, the new FAS kit features batik motives on the front part of the jersey to display the uniqueness of Sarawak.
