MALAYSIA ON THE CUSP OF MAKING ITS BIGGEST MISTAKE TO SHUN HOSTING WORLD CUP 2034? - HEADS WILL ROLL, WARN DISAPPOINTED FANS, THE ECONOMY WILL MISS THE CHANCE OF GETTING A MUCH-NEEDED BOOST
KUALA LUMPUR (Politics Now!) - Malaysia's Football Association has denied it is among countries led by Indonesia to jointly bid to host the 2034 World Cup together - stirring strong reactions that Kuala Lumpur may be on the verge of making its biggest mistake.
"It's not just about being football crazy but just think of the economic boost it will give to our country if we can be one of the World Cup hosts," a Malaysian football fan told Politics Now!
"On our own, we can't do it yet but as part of a well-coordinated team, then I say we have a winning formula because of our joint love for football. We should go for it."
'WE SHOULD GO FOR IT' ... BUT...
The FAM had also disclosed that it is supporting Saudi Arabia's bid for the 2034 cup.
“We have never had any conversation on hosting the 2034 World Cup with anyone. And we also have no intention to bid to host the World Cup anytime soon," the NST reported FAM president Hamidin Amin as saying.
“We, along with a majority of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) nations, are backing Saudi Arabia’s bid. We believe Saudi Arabia can host a successful World Cup.”
STILL ANYBODY'S GAME - DEADLINE OCT 31
Yet despite Malaysia's denial and support for Saudi, the door is still wide open for countries wishful of taking on perhaps the world's most-watched sporting event.
Hamidin was responding to a news report that Indonesia was in discussions with Australia about a possible joint bid to host the 2034 World Cup along with Malaysia and Singapore.
“We are discussing (a bid) with Australia,” Erick Thohir the president of Indonesia's football federation (PSSI) was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald.
“When I visited Malaysia and Singapore both countries expressed interest to join Indonesia and Australia.”
Australia's football body had already said last week that it was “exploring the possibility of bidding for the 2029 Fifa Club World Cup and/or the Fifa World Cup 2034”.
TOO SOON FOR SAUDI & THE MIDDLE EAST AGAIN
With Qatar having hosted the 2022 edition, Indonesia's Thohir had said it might be too soon for the World Cup to return to the Middle East.
“We are quite strong. I think Fifa will see that the Middle East area has been the host with Qatar last year. Japan and Korea have been host too. I am sure Fifa will try other countries," said Thohir.
“The potential to win if we join with Australia, Malaysia and Singapore is bigger too.”
MALAYSIA'S MASSIVE LOSS TO CHICKEN OUT?
Indonesia has not yet responded to Malaysia's denial but there's a chance it might decide to push on with Australia and Singapore, without Malaysia on board,
And should they win, not only will it make history for Southeast Asia, it will be Malaysia's massive loss for chickening out.
Public scorn, brickbats and condemnation are certain to follow from their football-crazy citizenry especially if neighboring Singapore is part of the winning team.
"Heads will roll, that's for sure," another football fan who wished to be known only as Chelsea told Politics Now!
"And it will serve FAM for playing politics but sleeping on the job!"
Indeed, while expensive to host, the chance of getting a much-needed boost to the Malaysian economy will also be lost.
"If managed well, Malaysia can really profit," an economist told Politics Now!
"Why look for the downside but not the upside. The positives are much greater, just think of the benefits on tourism alone, making the country and its beautiful attractions better known to the world. The list is really long because the knock-on effects cannot be overestimated. But of course, we must put our best foot forward and not let corruption, arrogance, swell-headedness and racial quotas get in the way."
Fifa, the world football’s governing body, had invited member associations from Asia and Oceania to bid for the rights to the 2034 edition last week.
Saudi Arabia quickly announced its intention to bid for the hosting rights and Fifa have set a deadline of October 31 for other interested parties to make their intentions known.
The 2026 World Cup, which will feature 48 teams, will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. - Written by Stan Lee, Politics Now!
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