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Monday June 26, 2006

American-Malaysian women in exchange programme

KUALA LUMPUR: While the Malaysian men are preoccupied with the World Cup, the women are busy with a soccer exchange programme with the United States which includes soccer clinics for about 400 young female athletes which kicked off yesterday.

The clinics were carried out by a group of highly successful American female coaches who have participated in the country's multiple Division One collegiate National Championships, Academic All-American Youth US National Team, besides having an extensive US and international coaching experience.

The exchange programme named the “United States-Malaysia: Women in Soccer Exchange Programme” was organised by the Ladies Football Association of Malaysia (LFAM) and the US-ASEAN Education Forum.

Tunku Dara Tunku Sri Naquiah, the president of LFAM said that the programme will contribute to enhance the development of women's soccer in Malaysia.

“We are pleased to have the opportunity to learn about the American style of playing and coaching, “ she said at the launching of the soccer clinic at the National Sports Council's field at Bukit Jalil yesterday.

She said various soccer clinics will be held in Klang Valley, Penang and Sarawak until Thursday, and it is open to under-15 female athletes who are interested in learning more about soccer, and each clinic is expected to train over 120 players.

The initial programme hoped to introduce Malaysian girls to American soccer and to create a U-15 category of players in the school system, besides preparing them for competitive matches locally and internationally.

The second component of the programme will involve a trip to the United States for the Malaysian team where they are expected to participate in the training activities and engage in social and cultural outreach activities. – Bernama

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