GA_googleAddSlot("ca-pub-1197233282945943", "Star_Sports_Skyscraper");

Sports

Wednesday February 11, 2009

Plans afoot to introduce professional coaches in schools

By ERIC SAMUEL

KUALA LUMPUR: Plans are under way to introduce professional football coaches in schools.

The FA of Malaysia (FAM) came up with the proposal during their recent discussion with Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob on ways to use former internationals with qualified coaching licences to take charge of development programmes in schools.

FAM general secretary Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad said that one way the former players could help out in schools was by providing technical expertise in the form of professional coaching.

“It will be good if we can get the young ones started with the right techniques of the game under professional guidance,” Azzuddin told a press conference after launching the second Ministry of Education Football League (MOEFL) at the Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) yesterday.

“These professional coaches in each of the state football schools will replace the sport teachers, who will then become their assistants. How soon this plan takes off the ground is up to the MOE,” he said.

Azzuddin hoped that the presence of quality coaches would churn out better players from schools.

Last year, the inaugural MOEFL in the Under-14 and Under-17 categories saw a total of 208 matches played home and away around the country. More than 500 players were involved in the MOEFL and FAM selected 30 from the Under-14 and another 20 boys from the Under-17 age group to be shortlisted for trials with the BJSS. But only 2% made the cut to join the national sport school.

Education director-general Datuk Alimuddin Mohd Dom said he hoped to see all their football development programmes bear fruit.

“We are willing to work hand in hand with the related bodies towards football excellence,” Alimuddin said in his address after launching the MOEFL.

He said that they had increased their budget for the MOEFL from RM2.1mil to RM2.8mil this year. The MOEFL will be played over four months beginning next week.

Alimuddin denied that there was insufficient playing grounds in schools and said that this should not be cited as one of the reasons for the poor standard of sports in the country.

“We have enough playing fields in schools. We even have halls for indoor games. So, it is not right to blame the school for not providing the facilities,” he said.

Aliminuddin said football was one of their main priorities as they had numerous programmes lined up, including the MSSM championships for the Under-12, Under-15, Under-18 and international events, 100Plus Super Cup (Under-18), Manchester United Premier Cup (Under-15) and Saitama Invitational for Under-12.

  • E-mail this story
  • Print this story

Sports Poll