COMMENT | Money and politics are killing sports

COMMENT | Long before entering politics, former Selangor menteri besar Harun Idris was already involved in football. After closing his chambers in Klang, where he was a magistrate, he would walk across to the Klang Padang to watch the local league.

This is where he would do talent scouting and pick players for the Tamilian Physical Culture Association (TPCA) where he was an active member.

He went on to become the state government leader but even before that, he was already helming the Football Association of Selangor.

Rated as one of the best sports administrators in the country, Harun’s stewardship saw Selangor winning the coveted Malaysia Cup several times. He was also the manager of the Malaysian football team that qualified for the Munich Olympics in 1972.

Harun, it is said, was so passionate about sports that he spent time, effort, and money promoting it. In the process, he found employment for sportspersons in Selangor government entities, especially the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS).