INTRODUCTION TO JUVENTUS FAN CLUB MALAYSIA

The idea to form a Juventus fan club in Malaysia was originally initiated by Salihah Kamal in late November 2003. Advertisements were placed in the local newspapers such as New Straits Times, Berita Harian and the local magazine THELeague in order to gain support and members for the fan club.

In a short span of time, the fan club gained tremendous support. From Perlis to Sarawak, people of different age, race and religion have expressed interest in joining the fan club. Thus, it is only sensible for the fan club to organize a meeting for all the then unofficial members of the fan club to meet up and discuss issues relating to the expenditure of the fan club.

On January 18th 2004, the fan club had its first meeting at Sports Café, MidValley. The attendance was encouraging and the fan club’s goals for the meeting were achieved: all of the Juventus compatriots that attended the meeting got along well with each other and promised their endless devotion to the fan club.

As part of the solution from the first meeting, the fan club has set up a temporary e-group to discuss matters regarding Juventus and the fan club via online at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bianconeri-my. Every month the e-group never failed to gain new members.

The fan club took a big step in an effort to market itself and getting to know other fan clubs as well. In May 2004, the Juventus Fan Club Malaysia entered a futsal tournament organized by the RealMadrid Supporters Club Malaysia. Headed by Zairul Azri, practices were held and players under the name of Juventus bonded well with each other. Although the fan club did not manage to win the tournament, the experience was vital to the fan club’s history and progress. Players from that tournament will always be remembered as the first band of passionate Malaysian Juventino brothers.

Sometime in August, the fan club organized their second meeting at Chinoz, KLCC. Here, members discussed the future plans of the fan club and formed a temporary committee to help organize and promote the fan club. Ahmad Rizal was suitably chosen as president as he was the most dedicated member and remained in the position until today.

The following months saw great progress in the fan club under its new leadership: the fan club managed to form a partnership with Juventus’s official kit sponsors, Nike. A company was also formed to manage the fan club and the fan club enjoyed their first TV appearance during the match gathering held together with the Liverpool Supporters Club Malaysia.

The fan club is now working on the plan for a membership drive throughout Malaysia and is at its final stages in getting official recognition from Juventus FC. The fan club has also started planning events for its members to enjoy in the near future and is looking into organizing their very own futsal tournament.

Currently, the Juventus Fan Club Malaysia is managed under Delle Alpi Sdn. Bhd. and boasts more than 150 members as required by Juventus. The fan club receives a welcoming 900 hits on its official website, www.jfcm.com.my per month and is advertised in most local newspapers and magazines and the WAP service provided by Maxis via mobile phones.

Indeed, it does seem that the Old Lady will keep on smiling at the prospect of Juventus Fan Club Malaysia.