A Malayan Tiger Conservation Initiative

Imagine Malaysia having a national football team called Harimau Malaya, but there are hardly any Malayan tigers left in the country's forests. 

 

This grim scenario is haunting the Youth and Sports Ministry and the Football Association of Malaysia. 

 

And so, both the Ministry and FAM on Thursday announced they are collaborating on a Malayan Tiger conservation initiative – and will use football, via the national team – who are also known as Harimau Malaya – to save the Malayan tiger from extinction. 

 

This is in support of efforts by the Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change, which spearhead the drive on biodiversity conservation. 

 

Towards this goal, FAM are pledging one ringgit from every ticket sold for the national team's matches will go towards the Malayan Tiger conservation project. 

 

FAM president Hamidin Amin said the Malayan tiger, which is an iconic Malaysian symbol, is facing extinction. Alarmingly, there are fewer than 150 Malayan tigers (Scientific name: Panthera tigris jacksoni) left in the wild. 

 

"This is an important mission… Every time we go out to play and watch football, we contribute to the survival of every Malayan tiger". 

 

Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said: "Harimau Malaya is a symbol and sacred calling for the national football team. We don't want tigers to be a mere mascot or slogan one day and no longer roaming the forests. If the species becomes extinct, the country’s sustainability soul would simply fade – and it would be meaningless for our national team to be still called Harimau Malaya”. 

 

Thumbs up to the Youth and Sports Ministry and FAM!