PERAK OPEN TO NEW SIGNINGS AHEAD OF MALAYSIA CUP

IPOH, Jan 9 (Bernama) -- Perak are prepared to sign several new players to strengthen the squad for this season’s Malaysia Cup, said Perak Football Association president Datuk Mohd Azhar Jamaluddin.

However, he said the final decision would depend on advice from the team manager and coaching staff.

“If there is a need identified by the manager and coaches, and if it can bring significant change and boost performance, I am prepared to open up room for new signings.

“This is part of our preparations to strengthen the team for the Malaysia Cup and the remaining A1 League matches after the second Malaysia League transfer window opened on Jan 5,” he said when met after the launch of the Perak Sejahtera League 2030 at Casuarina@Meru Hotel here yesterday.

Perak, who qualified on merit for this season’s Malaysia Cup, face a tough challenge after being drawn against Kuala Lumpur City FC in the round of 16 at the Manjung Municipal Council Stadium on Jan 18.

In the return leg, the two teams will meet at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium on Jan 25.

Mohd Azhar hoped the players would give their all to spring a surprise against The City Boys, who won the Malaysia Cup in 2021.

“We are aware they have better quality, strengthened by a large number of foreign players, but in football anything can happen over 90 minutes.

“I hope the players will deliver a quality performance and cause an upset in that match,” he added.

Meanwhile, 24 teams will compete in the Perak Sejahtera Inter-Parliament League Championship 2025/2026 for the Menteri Besar of Perak Cup, which offers total prize money of RM35,000.

Mohd Azhar said the league is scheduled to run from Jan 9 to Feb 15, with four zones — Kerian, Pengkalan Hulu, Bagan Datuk and Tanjung Malim — set to host the matches.

He said they hope the organisation of the league will provide space and opportunities for young talents to shine and be further developed for absorption into The Bos Gaurus at various levels.

“We expect more than half of the players taking part in this league to be aged between 18 and their early 20s. Emerging talents may be absorbed into the President’s Cup, Malaysia Games (SUKMA) or the A1 teams,” he said.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, when officiating at the event, said the league is among the important platforms for developing Perak football in a more structured and focused manner, starting at the grassroots level.

He said the approach is seen as practical as Perak has never been short of producing talents who once shone and coloured the national football scene.

A total of 720 players aged between 18 and 40 will feature in the tournament, which is co-organised with Perak UMNO Youth.

-- BERNAMA