Datuk Peter Anthony decided to resign as President of the Sabah Football Association (Sabah FA), effective immediately.
The decision was made following the Sabah State Election which saw the coalition of Warisan Plus parties represented by Peter lose to the Sabah People’s Coalition (GRS) thus causing a change in the reins of government in the state.
The same thing will happen to the Sabah FA administration, which is usually led by state government leaders.
“With the situation and everything that is happening including the political affairs, I feel the need to rest for a while,” he said.
“Therefore, I hereby announce my resignation as SAFA President effective immediately starting today.”
Peter thanked all parties involved in helping him lead the Sabah FA administration since taking office at the end of 2018.
He also praised Sabah’s performance during the dramatic 3-2 victory over Melaka on Sunday, shortly before his departure.
“It is not easy to be back after half a year of Super League suspension but Sabah has returned with the victory.
“Congratulations to the team because they finally managed to record a victory and revive the opportunity to at least stay in the Super League next season.
Peter believes he left the association in good condition and hopes the new administration will manage the team even better in the future.
“I have done my best for Sabah team and hope the Sabah FA will continue to progress with the new administration members in the future.”
Under Peter’s administration, Sabah FA managed to pay off all the old debt reportedly worth millions of ringgit that had plagued the association for years.
On the pitch saw Sabah perform brilliantly as they became the Premier League champion for the 2019 season, the first championship the team won in 23 years.
It also gives Sabah a chance to play in the Super League again after seven years in the second division league.
Sabah became one of the teams that was affected by the change of state government, after Perak, Melaka and Kedah.
Only the change of Johor state government did not have a direct change towards JDT administration.
Sabah FA, however, managed to complete the process of privatization of the club and the separation of the FA to football club (FC) before the change of government.