KUCHING: The extraordinary general meeting (EGM) held yesterday to choose a new Football Association of Sarawak (FAS) president failed to resolve the matter as it was decided that the issue be tackled at the next annual general meeting (AGM).

The AGM will be held two weeks before the new season starts.

In the EGM attended by almost all the affiliates except for Armed Forces and Schools Sports Council, Deputy Tourism Minister Dato Sri Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Taib was appointed as the patron cum advisor of the association.

In a press conference held after the meeting, FAS deputy president Datuk Richard Riot Jaem, the person many had predicted would assume the vacant post, said FAS would be on the lookout for candidates with power and influence to take over.

Thanking the affiliates for unanimously requesting him to take over the post, Riot said the job was a very big responsibility and needed an influential personality.

“I’m not that person for we need someone who is more influential … with clout and ability to lead FAS to its glory days.

“I had approached influential people like Dato Sri Dr Muhammad Leo Michael Toyad and Dato Sri Sulaiman to become FAS president but Dato Sri Dr Leo is reluctant while Dato Sri Sulaman (as deputy minister) does not have the time.

“Between now and the next AGM scheduled to be held after Hari Raya before the new season kicks off, I have asked my committee to scout around for suitable candidates for the job.

“As for me I cannot take it as it is too heavy a burden but I will ask Dato Sri Sulaiman to be the advisor and will personally approach.

“I’m proud to say for this season we have no ‘hutang’ (debts) and things are not all that black.

“Also the good news is that we have launched our five-year youth development project which will produce players for the future,” said Riot, who is also Member of Parliament for Serian.

On FAS’ financial woes, he said the association still had outstanding debts in the form of Employees Provident Fund (EPF) payments, stadium rental and part payment of wages owed to former foreign player Robert Eshun — all part of the old baggage from past seasons.

Riot also extended his thanks to Brooke Dockyard CEO Zuraimi Sabki who had managed to find sponsors to defray the costs of running the team in the Super League this season, the players salaries are paid on time and other expenditure are well looked after without incurring any debts this 2007-08 season.

He also appealed to corporate bodies and well-wishers to help sponsor the team as they need a whopping RM3 million to run the whole season, participating in the Super League, the President’s Cup, the Belia team and more.

Riot has been FAS acting president since Khaider Zaidell tendered his resignation on May 9 this year.