Wednesday April 20, 2011

1Malaysia Cardiff City Junior Football League has plans to go nationwide

By STUART MICHAEL
metro@thestar.com.my
Photos by RAJA FAISAL HISHAN

THE 1Malaysia Cardiff City (1MCC) Junior Football League which is fast gaining popularity has plans to expand its league nationwide in a measure to help develop football at the grassroot level.

The league, which is jointly organised by Sports Gurus Asia and 1MCC football club, has trainees in 120 junior training programmes in the Klang Valley.

Sports Guru Asia communications director J. Manvir said the aim of the league was to bring junior football to a new level.

Man of the hour: Najib shaking hands with participants after the launch the 1MCC Junior Football League in Sungai Buloh.

“Grassroot development is very important. But there should also be a league where these young boys and girls have an avenue to compete.

“From participation in the league, the junior players would have the necessary experience to join well-known clubs and compete in the M-League,’’ said Manvir, who was present when the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak presented a trophy for the league.

Najib showed off his skills on the pitch where he kicked the ball into a small goalpost. He also shook hands with the youngsters and parents who were present at Rubber Research Institute (RRI) in Sungai Buloh.

Manvir said Najib’s visit was inspiring and boosted the morale of the players, officials and parents.

Eye on the ball: Two players from the Little League (right) and Kelab Belia Remaja Bangsar go for the ball in a match in the Under-12 category.

Manvir also announced the league would be held in Penang, Kedah and Perlis next year.

“Eventually, the league would also be replicated to the southern states and to Sabah and Sarawak.

“We do not know where the next Ronaldinho would come from. It could be from the northern or southern states or from Sabah or Sarawak.

“We cannot just expect the kids to come to us. We must go and find them,’’ he said.

At present, there league has three age group categories — Under-12, Under-14 and Under-16 — which see hundreds of youngsters taking part every weekend at RRI ground. The league ends in November.

The event had a carnival-like atmosphere with stalls serving food and parents cheering on both sides of the field.