Faiz Subri gets FAM sponsorship for Puskas award ceremony in Zurich
FIFA Puskas nominee Faiz Subri will make the trip to the Ballon d'Or awards with his family after the FA of Malaysia (FAM) decided to pay for their travel to Switzerland where the ceremony will be held on Jan. 9.
Penang forward Faiz defied the law of physics when he struck a free-kick goal from 35 metres against Pahang in the Malaysia Super League in February.
His knuckleball strike, taken from the left wing, took a vicious swerve and dip to find the top corner, giving the goalkeeper no chance.
"To appreciate his efforts in becoming the first Malaysian footballer for this prestigious award, FAM will sponsor three business class tickets to his wife [Norzawanis Hashim] and two young kids to the ceremony," FAM secretary-general Datuk Hamidin Amin said in a statement.
FAM later nominated his goal for the Puskas award, which the world body ratified.
@Regrann from @pfamalaysia - FAIZ SUBRI TERIMA KURNIA DARI PENAUNG PFA MALAYSIA Sekitar penyampaian kurnia RM15,000 dari penaung PFA Malaysia kepada Mohd Faiz Subri di Stadium Bandaraya Pulau Pinang hari ini. Hadir bersama Presiden PFA Malaysia Hairuddin Omar, Timbalan Presiden Rezal Zambery Yahya dan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Izham Ismail. - #regrann
A photo posted by faiz subri (@faiz_subri13) on
The 29-year-old then took out the likes of Barcelona maestros Lionel Messi and Neymar to make the top-three shortlist on Dec. 2.
Corinthians' midfielder Marlone and Venezuela U17 women's player Daniuska Rodriguez are the other two nominees for the best goal award.
Faiz, who made global headlines for his strike, is considered a strong chance to clinch the award ahead of the South American duo.
Marlone scored with a fine chest control, and volley, in a Copa Libertadores' tie in April, while Daniuska fired home a solo effort against Colombia in the Women's U17 Sudamericano Championship in March.
29-year-old Faiz, who has netted similar outrageous efforts before, will leave for Zurich on Jan. 8.
He plans to be decked in Malaysia's traditional Baju Melayu costume, and give his speech in Bahasa Malaysia, should he win.
Brazilian striker Wendell Lira won the 2015 award.
