PETALING JAYA, Jan 26 — The fixtures and calendar for the 2023 M-League season will not disrupt the preparations of the National squad (Harimau Malaya) to face several international competitions this year, despite a number of changes and amendments to the fixtures.
Malaysian Football League (MFL) chief executive officer Stuart Ramalingam said the fixtures were successfully planned due to the involvement of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) President Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin and MFL President Datuk Ab Ghani Hassan in every stage of discussions.
“I can say that the MFL has done everything possible to ensure the National squad’s priority is given due consideration. We feel the FAM too are happy and satisfied with MFL’s efforts.
“We are sure that the cooperation between the FAM and MFL in drafting the calendar this year will ensure a smooth schedule that will not be required to be changed. I am largely grateful to Datuk Hamidin and Datuk Ab Ghani,” he said.
Stuart was speaking to reporters after a briefing about the 2023 M-League calendar at Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya, here today.
He added that though the M-League season would stretch a little longer, starting on February 24 and ending on December 17, featuring 182 matches, the extended duration was to accommodate proposals for the National squads centralised training.
The National squad coached by Kim Pan Gon will be involved in five international outings, namely in March, Jun, September, October and November before heading to the 2023 Asia Cup scheduled in Qatar in January 2024.
— Bernama
