DPM’s World Cup hosting aspiration mere ‘coffee shop talk’, says legend

 Ex-internationals James Wong and Santokh Singh say the real priority should be rebuilding the game from the ground up and restructuring FAM.

Both Santokh Singh and James Wong agree that Malaysia is nowhere near ready to host the Fifa World Cup.

PETALING JAYA:

A national football legend has dismissed Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s hope that Malaysia would one day host and compete in the Fifa World Cup, calling it nothing more than “coffee shop talk.”

James Wong, who starred for the national side between 1972 and 1981, said Malaysia was nowhere near ready to stage football’s biggest tournament.

Instead, he urged the country to focus on rebuilding the game from the ground up, with stronger domestic leagues and year-round grassroots programmes to identify and train players from as young as 13 or 14.

“Countries like Vietnam and Myanmar have made significant progress while we have stagnated.

“Teams we used to beat easily are now difficult opponents,” he told FMT, adding that Malaysia should learn from the long-term development systems used in Japan and South Korea.

Wong also suggested that Malaysia first prove itself by hosting smaller regional and youth tournaments.

He said a World Cup would demand world-class stadiums, training facilities, transport networks and the capacity to manage a massive logistical operation involving dozens of teams and hundreds of thousands of fans.

“It is a hopeful idea, but I honestly don’t think we are ready,” he said, stressing that the real priority should be to build a team capable of competing.

Attending a screening of the World Cup final in Bangi on Monday morning, Zahid said Malaysia aspires to one day host and compete in the prestigious tournament as Southeast Asia’s representative.

Legendary national centre-back Santokh Singh bluntly dismissed the idea, pointing out that Malaysia is incapable of entering the competition on merit.

“We can’t even qualify. How are we going to host it? We can’t even qualify for the Olympics and we want to host the World Cup. Come on,” he told FMT.

Santokh said the immediate priority should be to reform the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and restore the national team to the standards it achieved during his playing days.

He said players must once again wear the national jersey out of love for the country and the game, rather than for financial rewards.

“The priority should be to straighten out FAM and get the national team back to what it was in the old days,” he said, noting that political involvement had damaged the sport.

Asked if Malaysia could qualify for the World Cup anytime soon, Santokh’s response was scathing.

“I don’t see it happening in the next 10, 20 or even 50 years. The only way they can get in is if Malaysia hosts it, because the host team gets an automatic place.” - FMT