Selangor football team today reached a new milestone when it is now officially known as Selangor FC, a professional football entity privatized under Red Giants FC Sdn Bhd.

Red Giants FC Sdn Bhd is a corporate body that manages the club professionally and owned by several shareholders such as His Majesty Tengku Amir Shah ibni Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj, Raja Muda Selangor (as a golden shareholder), Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS), Menteri Besar Incorporated (MBI) and FA Selangor.

“Through this privatization, I see the direction of Selangor football is in line with the modern football industry because it is more progressive and more forward-looking. This will also encourage local and foreign investors to get involved in the sport while at the same time, we can focus fully on two different missions through SFC and FAS,” Tengku Amir Shah explained.

This exercise was officially approved by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) on 29 September 2020, however, the separation between the two entities; Persatuan Bolasepak Selangor (FAS) and Selangor Football Club (SFC) is only effective 1 December 2020 today.

In terms of the organization structure and leadership, these two entities remain under the leadership of DYTM Raja Muda Selangor as the Chairman of the Club and President of the Association.

Former FA Selangor Secretary-General Dr. Johan Kamal Hamidon is now appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Selangor FC after the Selangor football team was privatized starting today.

Another important character in the development of Selangor football, Muhammad Izrin Nabil, who previously held the portfolio as Head of Competition at FA Selangor, has been appointed to take over the duties of FA Selangor Secretary-General.

He has extensive experience in managing football development programs and league competitions under FA Selangor, as well as playing an important role in lifting amateur leagues such as the Selangor Champions League to a new height.

Selangor FC owner, Tengku Amir Shah also expressed his support to these two individuals to take Selangor football to the next level.

"I know Johan (Dr. Johan) and Nabil (Izrin Nabil) well enough because they have been working with me for the past five years. They are individuals who are committed and honest in carrying out the duties and responsibilities given, especially in the development of football in the state," said Tengku Amir Shah.

"I hope the people of Selangor and supporters of the Red Giants team, can give their trust and cooperation to these two individuals in their efforts to restore the glory of Selangor football," he added.

There will be more distinct differences between FA Selangor and Selangor FC through this privatization.

"FA Selangor will focus more on the development of the grassroots while Selangor FC will work on the development of elite football and the commercialization of Selangor football at the professional level," explained Izrin Nabil as the new FA Selangor Secretary-General.

FAS will focus on grassroots development such as coaching education, license supervision, and quality of referees at the state level, as well as developing leagues and football tournaments at the state level, including school-level football, women's soccer, and the development of football clubs, amateur football, and affiliate member clubs in Selangor.

"With the separation between these two entities, the management of the association will focus fully on empowering Selangor state football at all grassroots levels, without being tied to the commitment to the main state football teams competing in the Malaysian league. Honestly, there is still a huge gap in the development of women's football and futsal in Selangor so we will want to make sure we begin efforts to develop these areas as well.”

"There will be obstacles that FAS will need to overcome such as efforts to develop grassroots football which is now disrupted with the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a big challenge that we need to do to revitalize the football development program in Selangor and we need the support of Selangor supporters to ensure that this agenda is active again and back on track,” added Nabil.

In the aspects of empowerment of Selangor squad, Selangor 2, Selangor Futsal team as well as the development program of the President's Cup squad, Youth Cup, and Selangor Women's team, they will be under the purview of Selangor FC.

The main mission and vision of the FA Selangor to build a sustainable and competitive football team at the Asian level will continue to be infused into Selangor FC.

FA Selangor and Selangor FC will continue to work together although the two entities will have a focus on different tasks, the main goal is to continue to help each other to improve the Selangor state football industry.

Hopefully, the evolution of football in the state of Selangor will give a good impact on the development of state football, further strengthening the Selangor FC football team.

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