The Beginning of Semi-Pro Football League Until It Turns Professional

     The idea of the establishment of Semi-Pro Football League was born out of the idea of HRH Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah (Sultan of Pahang) who was the president of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) in 1988 and then was raised to the FAM officials. All the FAM officials include the son of HRH the Sultan of Pahang, HRM Tengku Abdullah felt that the idea of HRH Sultan of Pahang was relevant and the efforts toward the establishment of the Semi-Pro Football League has begun. Finally in 1989, the Semi-Pro Football League was officially established and its theme was "Excellence". The Semi-Pro Football League was a form of semi-professional football league that was newly established in Malaysia by FAM and operated from 1989 until 1993. The league was run by FAM. It consists of two parts, namely Semi-Pro Football League Division 1 and Semi-Pro Football League Division 2, which was a football competition for football team in Malaysia to qualify for Malaysia Cup. British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Berhad and Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Sdn Bhd (EON) were the main sponsors of this Semi-Pro Football League. 

     The establishment of this football league was a smart moves in shaping the future of the football league in Malaysia from semi-professional status to the professional status by FAM. In the early days of this football league in 1989, 17 football teams took part in the Semi-Pro Football League and the teams were divided into two divisions. Nine teams are in Division 1 and eight teams in Division 2. Under the new format, only the top six teams in Division 1 and the winner and runner-up in Division 2 that will took part in Malaysia Cup.

     Semi-Pro Football League was a competitive football league until it was replaced by the establishment of the Professional Football League in 1994 and was known as the Premier League by FAM. Selangor became the champion of Semi-Pro Football League Division 1 for two consecutive years from 1989 to 1990. While in 1993, Selangor was the champion of Semi-Pro Football League Division 2.

Semi-Pro Football League logo that was first introduced in 1989 with a theme of "Excellence" and its main sponsorship came from British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Berhad and Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Sdn Bhd (EON).

Match fixtures book for Semi-Pro Football League 1990.

Match fixtures book for Semi-Pro Football League 1991.

Match fixtures book for Semi-Pro Football League 1992.

Match fixtures book for Semi-Pro Football League 1993.

Match pennant that was used by Selangor in Semi-Pro Football League 1992.

HRH Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Al-Haj who was back then was the Crown Prince of Selangor was talking to Datuk Dr Nordin Selat and on the of HRH Sultan of Selangor was Tan Sri Muhammad bin Muhammad Taib during a photo session with the players and officials of the Football Association of Selangor in 1990.

Promotion for Semi-Pro Football League in 1990 at Sungei Wang Plaza, Kuala Lumpur by FAM with the football actions from the Selangor players worn Selangor jerseys sponsored by Mizuno Corporation.

Trophy for Semi-Pro Football League Division 1 winner.

Trophy for Semi-Pro Football League Division 2 winner.

Fair-Play Trophy for Semi-Pro Football League Division 2.

Malaysian Tiger Never Exist In Malaysia Football

     On 16 September 2016, Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) launched a new FAM and Harimau Malaysia logo. Previously on 2 February 2016, FAM President launched the new name for Malaysian football team known as Harimau Malaysia. This new name of Harimau Malaysia automatically replaced the old name for Malaysian football team known as Harimau Malaya. Harimau Malaya in English spelled out as Malayan Tiger and Harimau Malaysia in English spelled out as Malaysian Tiger. How did this Malayan Tiger name sticked to Malaysian football team ? As far as we know, its related to Dollah Don story whereby he was given this title by the previous Indonesia President, that was President Sukarno who did amazed by Dollah Don football talents and his title sticked to Malayan football team because at that time, he played for Malayan football team also. This title sticked to Malaysian footbal team also until it was changed lately to Malaysian Tiger.

     However, this was not the only story how the Malayan Tiger name came into picture. First of all, let us see the evolution of FAM logo below starting from its existence day till today:-

 Football Association of Malaya 

1933-1956

 Football Association of Malaya 

1957-1961

Football Association of Malaya 

1961-1963

 Football Association of Malaysia 

1963-1987

Football Association of Malaysia 

1987-2016

     Then, photo below was the new FAM logo launched on 16 September 2016:-

New FAM logo

16 September 2016

     From all the evolution of FAM logo photos above, what did we see was a symbol of tiger. It was the symbol of Malayan Tiger, a subspecies of tiger that inhabits the Malaysia Peninsular. Its scientific name was Panthera Tigris Jacksoni and it was an endangered species of animal. FAM has used the Malayan Tiger symbol since ages because of some reason, to show the strength of its organisation and the football team under it. But there is no Malaysian Tiger and its not even exist in the animal kingdom species.

     Therefore, before we change something, we must study its history, do not bulldoze just like that. It will show that we are POOR in knowing our history. Malayan tiger name its not about Dollah Don only, its about FAM logo and FAM identity itself since the FAM existance. Since the name has changed to Malaysian Tiger, there is no need anymore to put the Malayan Tiger image inside the FAM logo because the tiger symbol itself was not the Malaysian Tiger species and most important, Malaysian Tiger do not exist !!! 

*Reminder: Anyone who wants to contribute their sources/artifacts to be review in this blog, do not hesitate to contact Aizusan the curator at this e-mail address: faiz_mapy07@yahoo.com