KUALA LUMPUR – Amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), three of its members have been appointed as executive committee members of FIFA for the 2025–2029 term.
FAM’s Honorary President Tan Sri Hamidin Mohd Amin, who already serves on the FIFA Council, has been entrusted with the role of Delegate in the FIFA Media and Communications Committee.
FAM Deputy President Datuk S. Sivasundaram has been appointed to the FIFA Committee for Technical Development, Innovation, and Transformation, while FAM Women’s Football Committee Chairperson Datuk Suraya Yaacob has been named a member of the FIFA Committee for National Women’s Teams Competitions.
Speaking to Scoop, Suraya — who also serves as UMNO’s Information Secretary — said that despite the challenges currently facing FAM, the appointments represent a proud moment for Malaysian football.
“It’s an honour for us to be appointed to these respective committees. We don’t see this as a personal achievement but rather as recognition of Malaysia’s growing presence in the global football arena. Despite the ongoing controversies, our commitment to developing the sport has never wavered,” she said.
“On my part, I want to take this opportunity to learn as much as I can and help raise the standards of women’s football in Malaysia. We are currently ranked 92nd in the world, and my goal is to help the team climb higher by focusing on player development, exposure, and competitive experience.”
Sivasundaram, who also serves as Chairman of the Amateur Football League (AFL), described the appointment as recognition of years of hard work dedicated to developing Malaysian football at the domestic level.
“I’m grateful to both Tan Sri Hamidin and FIFA President Gianni Infantino for this opportunity. This appointment is not just an honour but also a responsibility to continue contributing towards football’s global progress,” he said.
“I intend to apply the knowledge and experience I’ve gained from managing local football to help strengthen FIFA’s technical development initiatives. I also plan to deepen my understanding of VAR technology and explore how it can be effectively implemented in the Malaysian league to improve match standards and fairness.”
When contacted, Hamidin expressed his gratitude for the trust placed in him and emphasised his commitment to the role.
“I am committed to carrying out my responsibilities with full dedication, ensuring that we continue to uphold transparency, professionalism, and progress within football communications at the highest level. I will do my very best to contribute positively to FIFA’s vision and further elevate Malaysia’s name on the world stage,” he said.
In addition, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) General Secretary Datuk Seri Windsor Paul John has joined FIFA’s Confederation Coordination Group, while Dr Gurcharan Singh remains a member of the FIFA Medical Committee.
These appointments, listed in FIFA’s latest committee updates, underscore Malaysia’s growing influence in global football governance. They also highlight the nation’s expanding presence across various areas of international football administration — including communications, technical development, medicine, and integrity — signalling global recognition of Malaysia’s contributions and expertise in the sport. – October 9, 2025