KOTA BHARU, Jan 18 (Bernama) -- Irfan Bakti Abu Salim has taken on the heavy challenge of lifting the Kelantan Red Warriors (KRW) back to their rightful place in the Malaysian League (M-League), thereby restoring the glory of the state's football which once shone brightly on the domestic stage.
Describing the task as a major mission, Irfan Bakti said the challenge was more than just an attempt and he promised to give everything to ensure his team returns to the top.
"My main goal is to bring Kelantan back to where it belongs, in the M-League. If I am not confident and enthusiastic, I would not accept that challenge.
"The people of Kelantan are known for their strong football spirit, and I want to bring back the aura of glory," he said at a press conference after being appointed as the new head coach of KRW here today.
Although he has more than 35 years of experience in football, Irfan Bakti emphasised that the challenge of rebuilding the team requires more than just experience. His priority is to ensure that the players of the team possess high discipline and quality.
"In the world of football, discipline is key. I want players who are truly committed and of high quality. There is no room for those who only want to be passengers in the team. We need players who want to fight and give their best," he said.
He said that the presence of several experienced players is needed to lead and guide the young players to ensure that the team is more balanced and ready to compete at the highest level. Meanwhile, the KRW FC president Nik Hafiz said the decision to appoint Irfan Bakti as the head coach was based on his extensive experience in honing young talents and elevating teams from lower leagues to the highest level.
"Irfan Bakti has proven his ability to build quality teams and young players.That was the main factor in his selection.
"We have been inquiring and discussing for a long time, and thank God he finally agreed to take on this responsibility," he also said.
He added that Irfan Bakti is now entrusted with leading KRW FC back to the top, giving new hope to the team's loyal supporters to witness the revival of their beloved team in Liga M.
-- BERNAMA
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