KUCHING (June 6): Tupong assemblyman Datuk Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman has expressed his readiness to assume the presidency of the Football Association of Sarawak (FAS), if entrusted with the mandate.

A long-time football enthusiast and chairman of Kuching City FC (KCFC), Fazzrudin emphasised his vision to make football more accessible to the community.

“Football is my passion. If given the opportunity, I do not simply want to form a team.

“I want to bring football to the people, to the community, to the grassroots. That is the approach I will adopt,” he said when met by reporters following the soft launch of the Metro City Convention Centre (MCCC) in Matang this afternoon.

Fazzrudin stressed that FAS’s role should extend beyond managing the state team to becoming the driving force behind the holistic development of football across Sarawak.

“My tagline is ‘To bring football to the people’. How do we make this happen? It will certainly require strong planning and a dedicated working team,” he added.

When asked about KCFC’s position under FAS, he clarified that KCFC falls under the jurisdiction of the Kuching Division Football Association, an affiliate of FAS.

“The structure remains as it is. FAS has many affiliates, including those from other divisions in Sarawak.

“There is no need to establish a new team at this time. My focus is on strengthening grassroots development structures,” he explained.

Fazzrudin also highlighted the importance of extending FAS’s reach to schools, youth centres, and rural areas, to systematically nurture young football talent.

“If we want to see Sarawak football return to its former glory, we must start from the ground up. We cannot focus solely on the professional league,” he said.

Expressing his willingness to take on the role if elected by FAS affiliates, he said: “God willing, I am prepared. However, I need a solid team.

“FAS is not just a name; it must function as a team that genuinely contributes to the development of state football.”

Nominations for the new FAS president closed today, with the election scheduled for June 14.

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