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| Azim elected new FAM President |
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| New FAM President Ali Azim (FAM) |
MALE: Ali Azim was elected as the new President of the Football Association of Maldives (FAM) on Sunday.
In the elections held under the supervision of FIFA and AFC representatives, seven clubs out of 11 voted for the 38-year-old Azim while his rival and former FAM president Mohamed Kaleem got four votes.
Mohamed Rasheed was elected as Vice-President while five members – Mohamed Thoufeeq Ali, Madih Ismail, Mohamed Visham, Ahmed Naseem and Ahmed Mohamed - were elected to the FAM Executive Committee.
The FAM had amended and ratified its statutes in line with FIFA’s Standard Statutes in June, setting the stage for the elections.
An elated Azim, who is also the chairman of leading Maldivian club New Radiant, revealed his priorities to www.the-afc.com, saying his first task would be to make the clubs self-reliant.
“The clubs in Maldives have very limited resources like facilities and funds. I want to make them commercial entities so that they can sustain themselves in the longer run,” said Azim.
Azim said he would be aiming to strengthen the administration of FAM. “I would like the association to have a proper management structure. We have been running the FAM since long but we don’t have rules and regulations for competitions or a disciplinary code.”
Starting a youth development programme is also high on the priority list for Azim. “I want to start a schools football tournament, which will improve the player base and boost the national teams,” he added.
“We just won the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship but most of the national team players have crossed 30 years of age. And, with no proper youth development programme, it will be difficult to remain at the same level. I would like Maldives to remain as the top team of the region,” he said.
The elections were supervised by AFC General Secretary Dato’ Paul Mony Samuel and FIFA representative Urs Kluser.
NEW FAM OFFICE-BEARERS
President: Ali Azim, Chairman of New Radiant Sports Club
Vice-President: Mohamed Rasheed – Sports director of Valencia Club
Members:
1. Mohamed Thoufeeq Ali – Chairman of Club Eagles
2. Madih Ismail – Chairman of BG Sports Club
3. Mohamed Wisham – Chairman of Vyansa Club
4. Ahmed Naseem – Board member of Sports Club Velozia
5. Ahmed Mohamed – Guraidhoo Zuvaanuge Jamiyya
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