State government can't come to troubled club's aid

PETALING JAYA: The Perak state government has announced that it is unable to address the ongoing salary issues facing the Perak football team.
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohammad explained that the government cannot provide financial assistance due to the soaring operational costs, a dilemma that many state teams across the nation are currently grappling with.
'Football in Malaysia has become increasingly burdensome financially, making it unsustainable for the state government to support,' he said.
Saarani noted that this situation is precisely why a transition to private sector sponsorship was agreed upon for the club.
He drew a comparison with England, stating: 'In England, while ticket prices may be high, stadiums are filled to capacity. In contrast, ticket prices in Malaysia are low with fewer attendees, yet player salaries remain elevated. This creates a financial strain that both clubs and state governments cannot bear.'
Saarani emphasised that the financial constraints are not unique to Perak, urging fans to understand that other states are also unable to resolve the fiscal challenges their clubs endure.
'The Perak state government cannot help settle the salary arrears for Perak players - that responsibility rests with the sponsor,' he concluded.
However, he assured that the state government remains committed to fostering football development through the Perak Football Association (Pafa), who are tasked with scouting talent across school and district competitions.
'The cost of football development is manageable, and the state has allocated approximately RM1mil to support these initiatives. We are providing the association with essential funding,' he said.
In a startling announcement on Saturday, Perak confirmed that they would not participate in next year's Super League.
Club chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Azim Mohd Zabidi disclosed that the club are officially up for sale, inviting any interested conglomerates or businesses to come forward.
Perak, established in 1921, has a storied history, competing in every league format to date and boasting eight Malaysia Cup titles.
The future of this historic club now hangs in the balance as they seek new ownership and financial stability.

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