Amir Amri Is New Malaysia Rugby president

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 2 (Bernama) -- Amir Amri Mohamad was today elected as the new Malaysia Rugby (MR) president for the 2023-2027 term, replacing Datuk Shahrul Zaman Yahya who did not stand for election.

Amir, the deputy president of MR the previous term and also the Terengganu Rugby Association president, garnered 27 votes in the election held in conjunction with MR's annual general meeting at Wisma OCM here.

He defeated Kuala Lumpur Rugby Association president Datuk Seri Zainal Abidin Mohd Rafique, who had 11 votes.

Amir will be assisted by former national player Mohd Azmir Zainul Abidin, who won unopposed as deputy president.

Syamsul Erwin Muhammad Lagis of Putrajaya and Abdul Rashid Adlie (Labuan Rugby Association president) garnered 29 and 22 votes each to be elected as vice-presidents in a four-cornered fight.

Meanwhile, the six new committee members are Nik Ramadhan Nik Abdullah (24 votes); Mohammad Faeez Mohamad Alias (23 votes); Muhammad Najib Hamzah (23 votes); Hamrizal Hamdan (21 votes); Shahizam Tukiran (21 votes); and Hazeline Aasyiqeen Jaafar (women's representative).

Speaking to reporters after the election, Amir said he did not expect to win as many new faces were elected this time.

He said he decided to contest for the president's post as he felt a sense of responsibility to lift MR out of the quagmire following the breach of trust incident that occurred, besides continuing the agenda of taking rugby towards excellence in the country.

"I also want to complete the plans mooted by the former president, including the construction of the rugby stadium.

"In addition, we want the NRDP (National Rugby Development Programme) that is under NSC (National Sports Council) to be managed by MR again and raise the quality of local refereeing,” he said.

Amir, meanwhile, said he will hold the first meeting as soon as possible before arranging a visit to the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) to discuss the direction and plans for the national team.

-- BERNAMA