Introducing our new International President Ananth S. Nathan, a Malaysian businessman currently investing into the club’s future.
As the second largest individual shareholder, Ananth became among the few Southeast Asians to part-own a European football club, and yet his motives had nothing to do with money.
The sports superfan from Malaysia realised his dream of making a significant impact on the world of English football after being touched by the community surrounding AFC Wimbledon during his trips here.
In his first interview since becoming our very first International President, Ananth reveals:
- Why he invested in our club.
- His bold plans to take our team on an Asian tour.
- His vision to turn The Cherry Red Records Stadium into a potential UK venue for Esports.
- The historic goal that made him realise his soul and ours were intertwined.
Ananth S. Nathan’s first visit to our Spiritual Home, Plough Lane, in April 2022.
“I’d always had a close relationship with football. My brother-in-law, M. Gopal played for the Selangor state team as well as the Malaysian National Team in the 80s. Cheering him on from the terraces, together with thousands of passionate fans was among the many inspiring moments that brought me close to the game,” Ananth said about his relationship with football.
"When I read about Wimbledon and how they came back, that feeling of inspiration consumed me once again," said Ananth. "I have now been welcomed into the community and I already feel as if I am part of it, part of the family,” he continued.
“It never crossed my mind as an investment. I did it because I love football and the romantic history of the club. When the opportunity came, I had to put my name in."
Ananth first heard about our club while going through a rough patch in his personal and business life. With the help and support of his family and friends, he fought back - and the synergy with our own story isn't lost on him.
"In 2010, I went through a tough stint in my personal and professional life,” he explained. “It was a difficult time but with the support of family & close friends, I persevered and like a phoenix, my life rose from the ashes, and I embarked on an upwards trajectory. It was around this time that I became aware of the story of Wimbledon and the challenges the community faced coming back from the ashes.”
The story of the community and their determination to come together and not give in truly struck a chord.
"When I read about Wimbledon and how they fought tooth and nail to come back, it inspired me," Ananth avidly mentions.
Rahjiswari, Mick Buckley, Ananth S. Nathan and Ivor Heller at the Club Shop.
True to his words, when our club was soaring high, fate dealt a new hand causing everything to crash and burn. The community came together to rebuild the club. Week by week, month by month, year by year; the supporters inched their way closer back through the power of community.
Then came the special moment when he saw Lyle Taylor's late goal at Wembley which set us up for our 2-0 win over Plymouth Argyle in the League Two play-off final.
"I remember watching a video of that goal. It had been recorded by a spectator and just seeing it made me consider whether I had, and have, the same soul as Wimbledon,” Ananth said.
He connected with the club and once his business had stabilised, so had our club in League One. He took that as an auspicious sign that we were growing together.
Dickie Guy, Ananth S. Nathan and Dave Bassett.
Ananth eventually got more closely involved with the club when he put his first investment in our Seedrs crowdfunding campaign. A friend had introduced him to the father of our former player, Jon Meades, and that in turn led to a meeting with our former chief executive Erik Samuelson. In fact, Erik gave Ananth a personal guided tour around our new stadium when he saw it for the first time.
"Even to this day, Erik is my mentor. I felt humbled talking to him, someone I have looked up to for a long time," Ananth smiled.
Ananth firmly believes there is an immense opportunity to spread awareness of our club throughout Asia and beyond. He would love to see the Dons playing against the national teams of Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia. Furthermore, he is exploring the idea of an AFC Wimbledon academy in Malaysia.
"When I went through the museum here at Plough Lane, I had goosebumps. That's the effect I want to create in Malaysia. In the long-term, we would like to develop a local clubhouse so that people can watch the game live together," Ananth continued.
Back at home, Ananth is no stranger to the world of games. He is the pioneer of the nation’s Esports industry serving as the President of the Malaysia Esports Federation (MESF). He believes this is another opportunity that could benefit our club.
He made national history in 2019 when the federation won its first gold medal in Esports and first of its kind in SEA Games Manila an Olympics event and subsequently three Medals for SEA Games Hanoi 2021.
He then spearheaded the participation of Malaysia to another first of its kind, Commonwealth Games Birmingham 2022 and lead the national athletes to the glory of becoming the first and only Commonwealth Esports Champions with a trifecta record of gold medals which the nation won three gold medals out of the three esports category Malaysia participated.
He believes this was not only gold medals for Malaysia but a golden opportunity to show what dedication can bring to any industry, club, and nation.
Ananth S. Nathan at the Global Esports Federation event in Birmingham, England, in June 2022.
Gaming events regularly pack out huge stadiums in the Far East and with the right team and effort, it could just be as popular here in the UK.
“I would like to see how we can add value at AFC Wimbledon by utilising Esports. Every state in Malaysia has an Esports division. It is expanding so quickly, with many big sponsors moving in. For example, according to reports, the global gaming market was valued at $173 billion in 2021, and it is expected to reach a value of $314 billion by 2027, registering a CAGR of 9.6% over 2022 to 2027. That is a vertical we should look to capitalise on.”
Looking to other aspects of developing AFC Wimbledon, Ananth added, “I want to help the club as it develops its infrastructure at the stadium as this is going to be key over the next five to 10 years.”
As for his other business interests, Ananth’s longest running company is AIRMARINE, one of the fastest-growing international integrated logistics and supply chain businesses in Asia.
“We currently operate out of Malaysia and Singapore but intend to expand to become a regional provider. During the COVID-19 pandemic, logistics was an industry that thrived. We cover freight management, warehousing, third-party logistics, distribution, customs brokerage – the whole spectrum," he added.
We are delighted to welcome Ananth to the family and are very much excited to envision a remarkable future together.