Huge turnout at MIFA fan club launch

It was a day of fun as more than 3,000 people gathered for the launch of the Malaysian Indian Football Association (MIFA) fan club in Shah Alam.

There were various activities for the young and old including health checks as well as counters for education and food outlets.

There was also a cultural show with songs and dances by local Indian artistes and a live crossover with local radio station, Minnal FM.

There were also friendly matches between ex-Malaysian Indian footballers and local artistes as well as a game between the MIFA FAM Cup side and the Army team.

This is the first time that a FAM Cup side has formed a fan club.

The crowd had gathered as early as 3pm although the official opening by MIC president Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam and Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Datuk M. Saravanan was only four hours later.

MIFA president Datuk T Mohan said in his speech that MIFA has been getting encouraging support from the various races for their FAM Cup matches.

In his speech, Dr Subramaniam, who is also the Health Minister, said they had given their full support to the activities organised by MIFA.

“We know that sports unites people of all races and we want the Indian community to also participate in the activity,” he said.

Dr Subramaniam, in praising the efforts of MIFA, said they should stirve to ensure more Indians represent the country in football.

“There was a time when Indians were dominant in many sports but today, there are hardly any. We must work hard to bring them back to the mainstream of sports,” he said.

Dr Subramaniam also presented appreciation certificates to ex-footballers Datuk M. Karathu, Datuk Santokh Singh, P. Umaparan, D. Devendran, Bawandi Hiralal, V. Murugan and Thanabalan.

MIFA Fan Club president Sam Munisamy said more than 3,000 signed up as members at the launch.

http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/scoreboard/2016/05/13/huge-turnout-at-mifa-fan-club-launch/