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NFABD appoints Gen-Sec
Thursday, June 9, 2011


President of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council His Royal Highness Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah (L), attending the National Football Association Brunei Darussalam's first meeting yesterday. Picture: BT/ Zamri Zainal

The National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (NFABD) kept the ball rolling by appointing Mohd Noor Hj Abdullah as its general secretary yesterday

The country's governing body for football elected its Executive Committee in a historic Extraordinary Congress on Monday, and followed it up by appointing the former referee to arguably its most important position.

Dato Hj Rosli Hj Mustafa was appointed treasurer during the meeting at the association's new headquarters along Jalan Pusat Persidangan opposite the International Convention Centre, which was attended by honorary president His Royal Highness Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah as well as the Executive Committee.

The Executive Committee's first meeting since its formation also elected standing committees for competitions, finance, football, international relations, media and referees, with more to be set up as and when needed.

Talking to The Brunei Times after the meeting, NFABD president Dato Paduka Hj Abdul Rahman Hj Mohiddin highlighted the integral role Mohd Noor will play.

"He will administer the day-to-day running of the association and the building. He is the chief secretariat and takes care of correspondence," he said.

"It's a full-time job. The rationale is that he keeps the job regardless of who is in the presidency.

"Football is a full-time thing if you want to be serious about it.

"The association is starting from zero so these are the committees we feel we need now.

"There is a lot of housekeeping to be done, and logistically, there is a lot that needs to be alligned.

"That is why the standing committee was formed ... To jump-start the process," he added.

A Department of Youth and Sports employee for 30 years, one look at Mohd Noor's resume makes it easy to see why his nomination was supported by the Executive Committee.

The 62-year-old holds a degree in Sports Management and Administration from the University of Strathclyde in Glasglow in Scotland and a diploma in the same field from the University of Brighton in England.

A former FIFA and AFC referee, Mohd Noor served in Brunei for 25 years and under FIFA for four years. He was also a match commissioner for international football matches, as well as an ex-president of three national sports associations.

His Royal Highness Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah was named chairman of the committee on international relations while Ali Hj Ismail and Hj Zainol Ariffin Hj Jumaat are the new chairman and deputy chairman of the competitions committee respectively.

Morni Zakaria and Ah Chua Bangau were chosen as the top men in the finance committee, Jamhari Lani and Takong Ahmad in football and Hj Hamidon Hj Mohd Zain and Mohd Isa Hj Marsidi in media.

Hj Hamidon was also chosen to be chairman of the referees committee, with Hj Omar Hj Safar his deputy.

The men are all members of NFABD's Executive Committee and had to be nominated and supported for their seats.

Dato Paduka Hj Abdul Rahman explained the reasoning behind His Royal Highness Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah's nomination for the international relations committee.

"This is in line with the desire to ensure our relationship with the governing bodies of football like FIFA and AFC," said the president.

"He is the right person with his network and connections.

"As the president of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council (BNOC) he can help steer Brunei football to new heights.

"As this was the first meeting, I, as president, on behalf of the Executive Committee want to express our heartfelt gratitude to His Royal Highness Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah and his normalisation committee team.

"Without his wise leadership and continuous efforts to reinstate Brunei, I tell you, this (FIFA lifting the suspension) would never have happened," he added.

In his opening speech His Royal Highness Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah reminded the Executive Committee that not only does he wants to see NFABD as an institute which is creditable, transparent and full of integrity, but also one that has excellent planning and effective implementation of its development programmes.

"I also want to make sure that NFABD always abides by its Statutes," he said.

"All members that are appointed, including the general secretary, treasurer, standing committee and any position that NFABD has ... must work together as a team and put aside their personal interests... I feel this is important in carrying out the tasks."

"I also feel that we should all increase our knowledge in our respective fields, be innovative and always look to the future," he added.

His Royal Highness Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah also personally conveyed his gratitude to the normalisation committee which has worked hard to help in getting football back in Brunei, picking out Anuar Lisa and Hj Zuraimi Abdul Sani for special praise.

Courtesy from Brunei Times