KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 2 — The national football squad “Harimau Malaya” henceforth will be called “Harimau Malaysia”. FA of Malaysia (FAM) president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, who announced this here today, said he hoped the new name would spur the team to reach greater heights.

“FAM feels ‘Harimau Malaya’ is no longer suitable in view of the fact the word Malaya itself is not used widely in the country after the formation of Malaysia in 1963. I hope the new name better reflects that the national team belongs to all Malaysians.

“But I don’t want just a name change, the players must have a new spirit to seek success... a Harimau Malaysia which is more fearsome and can devour its opponents, at least in Southeast Asia,” he said at a ceremony to introduce the team’s sponsors.

He also hoped that the squad, which received its new coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee officially on January 18, will not repeat their disgraceful performance of the past.

The FAM signed sponsorship agreements for the national squad with Telekom Malaysia, Nike, 100 Plus and Bank Islam. FAM secretary-general Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin represented FAM at the ceremony witnessed by Tengku Abdullah.

Telekom Malaysia, which has been the main sponsor of the national team since 2011, renewed its sponsorship agreement for five more years to 2020. The value of the sponsorship was not disclosed.

FAM vice-president Datuk Sudarsono Osman said the decision to change the name of the national squad was in appreciation of the contribution of the people of Sabah and Sarawak.

“I am glad with the decision as some Sabah and Sarawak supporters had questioned the matter,” he said. “I hope they would be happy after this.”

Last year, Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin had called for the national squad to be known as Harimau Malaysia to reflect the contribution of Sabah and Sarawak players and supporters.

FAM also launched a Harimau Malaysia logo design contest, offering a prize of RM10,000 as well as the opportunity to experience being with the national squad at the AFF Suzuki championship at the end of the year.

Information on the logo competition are available at the FAM website www.fam.org.my or Facebook, Football Association of Malaysia (Official) or Twitter @FAM_Malaysia. — Bernama