Football Legends Dollah, Zainal Come Together To Raise National Footballing Standards

SUBANG JAYA, Feb 15 (Bernama) -- Two footballing legends, Datuk Dollah Salleh and Datuk Zainal Abidin Hassan are prepared to implement a joint plant to raise the national footballing standard after they were selected to be part of the Football Association of Malaysia’s (FAM) new leadership.

Dollah expressed his commitment to contribute his energy and experience to strengthen Malaysia’s footballing prowess together with his former striking partner Zainal.

"I will do my best based on experience I’ve gleaned through 30 to 40 years of footballing. Zainal and I have discussed about plans to develop national football from the grassroots to the senior team.

"We will work to communicate and contribute ideas that can help boost the quality of Malaysian football,” Dollah said after the FAM Congress 2025-2029, where he was elected as a vice-president and Zainal an executive committee member.

Dollah obtained 16 votes to become vice-president, along with Datuk Seri Rosmadi Ismail (17 votes), N Saaran (13 votes) and Datuk Mohd Azhar Jamaluddin (17 votes), while Zainal secured 18 votes, the highest among the 14 candidates vying for an executive committee seat.

Zainal expressed his excitement at having obtained the full support from affiliates and described his duties as a big responsibility.

"We did have plans to improve and develop Malaysian football. If we didn’t, we wouldn’t be here.

"Previously we only imagined about sharing our experience, but didn’t expect to be in the FAM leadership. This isn’t a surprise but an honour we need to undertake properly,” he added.

-- BERNAMA