December 21st 2024 saw the inauguration of a brand new team in Malaysian football – Kelantan Red Warriors FC. Collaborating together with the Kelantan Football Association (KAFA), Kelantan Red Warriors aim to replace the financially-stricken and currently inactive Kelantan FC and continue the state’s proud footballing heritage.
To this end, the newly-formed Red Warriors utilized the same badge used by Kelantan during their golden era in 2012, during which Azman Ibrahim’s men managed to lift the treble by winning that season’s Liga Super Malaysia, Malaysia FA Cup, and Malaysia Cup.
The glory days were long gone, however, as Kelantan would subsequently suffer several financial and organizational issues, before being kicked out of the Liga Super at the end of the 2023 campaign underneath the controversial ownership of Norizam Tukiman.
This prompted the creation of the Gerakan Selamatkan Kelantan FC (GSK), a movement formed by concerned stakeholders within Kelantan football with the aim of saving the fallen giants from total obscurity and reviving the footballing legacy within the state of Kelantan.
With the full support and endorsement of the KAFA, the GSK established Kelantan Red Warriors, and they have plans to compete in the Malaysia A1 Semi-Pro League for the upcoming season.
The GSK has outlined an immediate priority: securing approximately RM2 million in funding. This financial target will cover operational costs, including the acquisition of players, administrative needs, and preparations to ensure the team would be able to maintain their level of competitiveness throughout the upcoming season.
According to GSK chairman and Kelantan Red Warriors president Nik Hafiz Naim Nik Hassan, the club is currently in the process of applying to the Malaysian Football League (MFL) for approval to join the Malaysia A1 Semi-Pro League. If successful, KRW FC will become the second Kelantan-based team in the league, joining Kelantan Wan Tendong Stable FC (Kelantan WTS FC) who have won promotion from the Malaysia A2 Amateur League at the end of the 2024/25 season as the competition’s runners-up
The creation of Kelantan Red Warriors is seen as a strategic move by the GSK to reinvigorate football in Kelantan. The state, which has a proud history in the sport, has seen its representation falter due to Kelantan’s struggles, including issues with management, debt, and poor performances. The establishment of Kelantan Red Warriors offers a fresh start and the opportunity to reclaim Kelantan’s reputation in Malaysian football.
The GSK has expressed optimism about its future, believing that with the right support, adequate funding, and a clear vision, Kelantan Red Warriors can quickly become a competitive team. Beyond its immediate goals, the club also hopes to inspire the youth of Kelantan to take an interest in football, fostering local talent to sustain the state’s football legacy for years to come.