Kota Kinabalu: All football teams in Malaysia including Sabah should follow the example of Johor Darul Takzim (JDT), said Sabah skipper El Hadji Diouf who is very impressed with the running of the team by Johor Football Association President Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim."JDT are a fast growing team attracting attention not only in this region but also other parts of the world. Today you can even hear people in Europe and Africa talking about Johor," he claimed. The ex-Liverpool striker said he was invited by the President who is also the Tunku Mahkota of Johor for a short tour in their training ground and other facilities after Sabah Rhinos came from two goals down to beat them (JDT II) 4-2 in the Premier League match just before the break.
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"I had a lengthy chat with him on everything about football and was impressed with his vision and what he has done to the club and I think JDT are one fine example of how football teams or clubs in Malaysia should be managed."He added that football is like a business and Tunku Ismail has the right vision for it.
"He has the right vision on how to run the team and look at what he has done so far for JDT."If you look at the other teams in Malaysia, nobody has an infrastructure like them and they have the best stadium that I have visited so far.
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"And he has also given the best to his players. Just look at the training ground and the pitch that they got, and the players are also staying in first class hotels when they travel."I called them the Real Madrid of Malaysia because they are able to pack the stadium in all their matches and also able to attract top players to play for them.
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"I have been here for quite some time now and whether you like football or not you have to admit that Tunku Ismail has done a wonderful job for his state."
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"We need to think of the future and the youngsters, and JDT under him are doing just that with the best infrastructure and facilities available, and this is only good for the kids."So, if the other teams are able to follow their example, I believe football in this country will be on the right track to move up from their current state in the near future."
