Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin believed that the acquisition would have a good impact on the sport in the long term.

He disclosed this after officiating the prelaunch of the National Youth Day 2016 here yesterday.

“I believe it can contribute, but for the moment, the contribution to the development of national football may not be too apparent,” he said when commenting on the perception that the acquisition of the club was only profit-motivated and would not help in developing Malaysian football.

Khairy said the Malaysian-owned club might be able to forge formal cooperation with local football clubs in carrying out coach development or sending players to train there.

Noordin became a majority shareholder of FC Bari 1908 after acquiring 50 per cent of its shares worth 12 million euros (RM52.59 million) from president of FC Bari 1908, Gianluca Paparesta, who previously had a 95% interest in the club that is now eyeing to play in Serie A in the coming season.

– BERNAMA