Ab Rauf Heads Mafa

MELAKA, May 2 (Bernama) -- Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh has been named as the new president of Melaka Football Association (MAFA) to lead the governing body replacing Datuk Nur Azmi Ahmad.

MAFA in a statement today said the matter was decided in yesterday’s MAFA executive committee meeting at Wisma MAFA chaired by its deputy president Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mahadi.

"According to MAFA’s constitution, the new Melaka Chief Minister will automatically assume the position of president.

"The MAFA executive committee congratulates Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh who will lead the association and restore the glory of football in this state," according to the statement.

Commenting further, MAFA also hopes that Ab Rauf's touch will bring Melaka football to a higher level and put the state's name in the world's number one sport in the future.

MAFA also thanked Nur Azmi for his services to football in Melaka after having led the association since August last year

"Among them was the establishment of the Melaka FC football club which is currently competing in the M3 League besides organising the Melaka TYT Cup (Governor Cup) and also grassroots development.

"All his services and contributions to Melaka football will continue to be immortalized in Melaka state football as one of the presidents of the association which is now approaching its centennial since its establishment in 1924," he said.

Ab Rauf who is also Tanjung Bidara assemblyman was sworn in as the 13th Chief Minister of Melaka before the Yang Dipertua Negeri Melaka Tun Mohd Ali Rustam on March 31.

The statute of the association states that the individual elected as Chief Minister is automatically the president of the state football association.

-- BERNAMA