Hannah Agrees With FAM's Move To Withdraw From CAFA Cup

PETALING JAYA, July 17 (Bernama) -- Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh agrees with the decision by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) to withdraw from the 2025 Central Asian Football Association (CAFA) Nations Cup scheduled to take place from Aug 29 to Sept 8.

She said the decision was undoubtedly made based on thorough consideration by the national team’s coaches and management, particularly concerning player readiness.

“When it comes to Malaysia’s participation in any tournament, what matters most is whether the athletes and coaches are prepared. I have read the coach’s (Peter Cklamovski) statement and I believe he knows best about the team’s preparations.

“I accept and respect the reasons given by the coach and the association,” she told reporters after officiating the 2025 Asia Pickleball Summit here today.

In her speech, Hannah praised the rapid growth of pickleball in the country, aligning with the ministry’s efforts to encourage more Malaysians to stay active and participate in sports.

In a statement yesterday, FAM said the decision to withdraw was due to a change in match dates, which now fall outside the official FIFA international window, presenting challenges on multiple fronts for the national squad as clubs are not obligated to release their players.

Additionally, Harimau Malaya head coach Peter Cklamovski said the withdrawal was the right move, with the team set to focus fully on their training camp ahead of crucial matches against Laos and Nepal in October and November.

However, CAFA, in a statement yesterday, said Malaysia’s participation had been confirmed much earlier with full awareness of the unchanged tournament dates and schedule.

Malaysia, currently ranked 125th in the world, were supposed to compete in Group B alongside host nation Tajikistan, defending champions Iran, and Afghanistan.

Group A consists of co-hosts Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Oman.

In a separate development, Hannah said Malaysia’s top men’s singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia has yet to contact her ministry or the National Sports Institute (ISN) regarding any support needs, including mental health or psychological counselling.

However, she confirmed that Zii Jia’s camp had reached out to the National Sports Council (MSN) merely to clarify that there was no cause for concern regarding a drawing he posted on Instagram, which had raised concerns about possible signs of depression.

“So far, Zii Jia has not discussed any request for support with me. I want to give him space, and if he needs any assistance, he knows he has my number. I’m confident he’ll reach out if necessary,” she said.

Zii Jia has withdrawn from the 2025 Japan Open (July 15–20) and the 2025 China Open (July 22–27), but no official statement has been issued by him regarding the withdrawals.

-- BERNAMA