The transition of the Maldives FA in line with law may be more difficult than it appears. A number of elite club managers close to the government dominated football administration seem unable to comprehend the advantages of giving voting rights to ALL football clubs at the December-January 2008 inaugural elections. They maintain that only they, a minority of some 27 clubs, should be given the right to vote. This leaves some 60 clubs without the right to vote. They claim that these 60 clubs should not be given voting rights because these clubs have failed to participate regularly in FAM competitions over the last five years. The elite club officials believe that such “unstable clubs” should not have the right to a vote on the new Statutes or in electing the new FAM President and Executive Committee.
Government subsidy
This revelation comes from senior club officials who firmly believe that “minor” clubs can be accommodated later when they fulfill this requirement of participation in FAM competitions for a consecutive five years without fail. This is a tall order by local standards. The fact is that these 27 elite clubs, mostly Male’ based, have been able to participate in FAM competitions regularly only because they were subsidized by the government. Two third of football clubs have no such incentive. It would be interesting to see how the FIFA appointed transitional committee handle this issue. The immediate question then is who decides which clubs should be given the right to vote at the first FA Congress.
While this argument may be of direct benefit to these clubs as far as maintaining their grip on the sources of funds go, we must also understand this will not serve the interest of football in the long run.
Larger interest of football
Success of national sports associations are based on the abilities of these associations to regulate large numbers of youth, recreational and competitive players so as to present football successfully at the national and international levels. Such a policy broadens the base of the football pyramid. Developing and maintaining a large number of clubs and players ensure better talent is always available for the top levels of football. Supply of talented players feed the different development phases of the football pyramid. The national league of course attracts the cream, while the cream of the cream makes it to the national team.
The proposed FIFA approved Statutes and a transitional team are yet to be unveiled. The whole point of the AFC Secretary General, Dato’ Paul Mony Samuel’s recent visit to Male’ was to study the situation on the ground, prior to recommending a transitional team. I hope the FIFA appointed transitional team will see the sense in being more accommodative than these elite clubs.
Government subsidy
This revelation comes from senior club officials who firmly believe that “minor” clubs can be accommodated later when they fulfill this requirement of participation in FAM competitions for a consecutive five years without fail. This is a tall order by local standards. The fact is that these 27 elite clubs, mostly Male’ based, have been able to participate in FAM competitions regularly only because they were subsidized by the government. Two third of football clubs have no such incentive. It would be interesting to see how the FIFA appointed transitional committee handle this issue. The immediate question then is who decides which clubs should be given the right to vote at the first FA Congress.
While this argument may be of direct benefit to these clubs as far as maintaining their grip on the sources of funds go, we must also understand this will not serve the interest of football in the long run.
Larger interest of football
Success of national sports associations are based on the abilities of these associations to regulate large numbers of youth, recreational and competitive players so as to present football successfully at the national and international levels. Such a policy broadens the base of the football pyramid. Developing and maintaining a large number of clubs and players ensure better talent is always available for the top levels of football. Supply of talented players feed the different development phases of the football pyramid. The national league of course attracts the cream, while the cream of the cream makes it to the national team.
The proposed FIFA approved Statutes and a transitional team are yet to be unveiled. The whole point of the AFC Secretary General, Dato’ Paul Mony Samuel’s recent visit to Male’ was to study the situation on the ground, prior to recommending a transitional team. I hope the FIFA appointed transitional team will see the sense in being more accommodative than these elite clubs.
4 comments:
According to local newspapers there will be 11 elligible votes .. why does the numbers differ? you say it's 27! why is this becomming such a big confusion?
That particular article in Haveeru was talking about the proposed number of members to the FAM Executive Committee. I am talking about the total number of members eligible to vote at the upcomming FAM Congress.
Eleven is the proposed number of members in the FA Executive Committee. Twenty seven is the total number of clubs the first division lobby claims should have the right to vote at the Congress. I am suggesting ALL football clubs should be given the right to vote at the Congress to elect the Executive committee, the President and also vote on the new Statutes (assaasee gavaaidhu) of the FAM
Looks very much like u r interested in a post of FAM, why can't you just say? You are exprienced enough in sports so just say it ...
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