Terengganu to spend big next season

Terengganu are bracing for their most expensive football season ever.

At least RM5 million will be needed for the team to compete in all competitions next year including their debut AFC tournament.

Terengganu FA president Datuk Che Mat Jusoh said a sizeable amount will have to be allocated for the newly signed foreign players -- Brazillian midfielder Tercio Nunes Machado and Gambian striker Mohamadou Suamareh.

"We have spent close to RM500,000 just to have the two players registered as the the FA of Malaysia required a deposit in the amount equivalent to the players' salaries for three months," Che Mat disclosed.

"Keeping them for the whole season will be costly but we just do not have any choice as other title contenders in the league have strengthened their teams with foreign players for the new season."

Che Mat, who is also the team manager, said a separate budget has to be set aside for the AFC when the team will have to travel to Singapore, Hong Kong and Vietnam beginning March next year.

Terengganu have been drawn into Group H with Singapore's Tampines Rovers, Hong Kong's Kitchee and Vietnam's Song Lam Nghe An.

"The inclusion of Singapore in the league will also add to our expenses as well since we have to travel play them away  at least once.

"A playing trip to Sabah costs over RM40,000 and chances are, it will be more expensive travelling to Singapore."  Last year, Terengganu had an operating budget of RM3.5 million and Che Mat said the farthest place they had to travel to was Kota Kinabalu.

"Now we also have Sarawak in the Super League and we certainly cannot reach Kuching by bus.

"Logistically speaking, the only place we can drive to is Kota Baru, Kelantan and Kuantan, Pahang, but unfortunately Pahang are playing in the Premier League next year," Che Mat said on Saturday after handing incentives to the Malaysia Cup squad who lost to Negri Sembilan in the final.

Che Mat said each player received between RM3,000 and RM7,000 depending on their contribution in the Malaysia Cup campaign.

Meanwhile, Terengganu Youth and Sports Committee chairman Rozi Mamat, who was also present, said the state government will continue its financial support for the state team.

"We have yet to discuss on the amount to be allocated to both Terengganu and T-Team for the new season but chances are, we have nothing to worry about," he said.