Kota Kinabalu: Henry Saimpon has announced his decision not to defend his vice president post in Sabah Football Association (Safa) at the upcoming elections scheduled this Saturday (May 13).
The former State player who was elected in 2018 and appointed team manager for the senior squad in 2018 and 2019 said on Monday that it is time to for him to step down and give opportunities to new faces.
“Yes, I would not be involved in the election in order to give someone new the opportunity.
“However, it is also important that those elected are individuals who really love football and not merely to hold a post in the association.
“The previous leadership has given their best to develop football in Sabah and managed to end a 23-year drought when we emerged as Premier League champions in 2019.
“I hope the efforts to develop football in the State will be continued by the new office bearers, including unearthing of new talents through proper development programmes,” he said.
He also supported the call by Safa deputy president Datuk Juil Nuatim to uphold the association’s constitution and implemented accordingly.
“It must be respected and followed, so I hope that the coming general meeting and the election will be transparent and carried out based on the constitution,” he said.
