MUSA to be rebranded MAFA in move to empower Melaka football - Nur Azmi

MELAKA, Nov 15 (Bernama) -- The Melaka United Soccer Association (MUSA) will revert to being named the Melaka Football Association while the state football team will be known as Melaka FC under a rebranding exercise.

Its president, Datuk Nur Azmi Ahmad said the move would be the start of the association's efforts to empower and revive the state football team’s fortunes after being eliminated from the highly-competitive top-tier Super League next season.

“Changing the association's name back to its original form, which has been in existence since 1924, is also a move to return Melaka football to its heyday, when it used to produce so many quality players, including national football legend Datuk Soh Chin Aun.

“These changes are also seen as being able to breathe new life into and boost Melaka football because we do not view MUSA as a brand that is capable of developing or raising the stature of football in the state,” he told reporters after the launch and draw for the Governor’s Cup 2022 in Ayer Keroh last night.

Elaborating, Nur Azmi said the Melaka football team will also compete in next season’s M3 League and they will be known as Melaka FC instead of Melaka United FC.

He said the team are currently preparing for the M3 League and their main aim is to gain promotion back to the Super League in 2024, besides competing in the FA Cup next season.

“Indeed, branding is not important, but administration and management must be prioritised. I believe that if the administration is run smoothly, Insya-Allah, our target of getting Melaka back into the Super League in 2024 can be achieved.

“We are also committed to the issue of salary payment, in addition to creating a special account to ensure that players’ salaries can be settled every month so that the problem of salary arrears does not recur,” he said.

He said they also intend to strengthen the Melaka FC squad by listing at least 10 Melaka-born players, shortlisting four coaches - two foreigners and two locals - and appointing a technical committee.

“Our goal is to ensure the team will be ready by at least December before the M3 League begins next February.

“The Hang Jebat Stadium will continue to be Melaka FC’s home venue and all supporters will be able to watch matches for free at the initial stage,” he said.

-- BERNAMA