FRI: WINDS of change are sweeping through Perak FA, and their annual meeting in Ipoh on Saturday is expected to see the Raja Muda of Perak, Raja Nazrin Shah, take over the presidency.

Incumbent president Tan Sri Ramli Ngah Talib will not defend his post. Ramli, the former Perak Menteri Besar,is now Deputy Transport Minister and will not be able to devote his time to the FA.

It is believed Raja Nazrin had given his consent. This will be his second top post in a sports association. He is president of the Perak HA and chairman of the Malaysian Hockey Federation Foundation.

Current deputy president Datuk Raja Ahmad Zainuddin Raja Omar, the former political secretary to Ramli, may give up his post. He has already quit as team advisor/manager. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali is not interested in the post.

State Executive Councillor in charge of Youth, Sports and Human Resource Development Jamal Nasir Rasdi, who is one of the FA vice-presidents, had been appointed as team manager for the new M-League season.

It is learnt he will go for the number two post. The other vice-president Datuk Mohd Zaim Abu Hasan is expected to step down.

Perak FA treasurer Amaluddin Ismail is expected to contest for one of the vice-presidents' post. Amaluddin had served as a soccer official for more than 20 years. He is currently Ipoh District FA president.

He was Taiping FA president from 1987 to 1991.

Nominations come from the floor.
The president, deputy president, two vice-presidents, and nine council members will be elected by the delegates. The secretary and treasurer will be appointed. Abdul Hadi Alang Rashid is the incumbent secretary.

Jamal, who had indicated that a local coach will be hired for the 2000 season, said former national and Kuala Lumpur coach Chow Kwai Lam is one of the candidates.

Chow is not new to Perak as he handled the squad when former coach Karl Weigang had to go back to Germany for medical treatment in 1998.

M. Karathu is the other coach with strong credentials but he may not be available due to other commitments.

Karathu had coached Perak in 1989 and 1990.