I don't support local footy anymore but I think this is a good thread. In this day and age, star players play a big role in creating traction for the sport amongst fans. The main problem with futsal for example is that everyone plays it, but no one watches it and one reason for this is that the sport is devoid of 'stars'. Can anyone even name our national futsal team players? I used to train under Zaidi Ramli who was our national no.1 some 4-5 years back. We had a good striker in Addie Azwan who was brilliant playing with his back to goal. I actually played for a semi-professional club back then and we had 5 national players in the side including the 2 I mentioned above. I followed our team and went to watch the KL World 5's but coverage of futsal is poor and now you hardly read or hear about the team. Even the national futsal league has disappeared.

I think that by commercialising local teams and it's players will help spark interest in the sport again. Like it or not, we should be adopting the mass marketing approach many clubs worldwide has. If you look at the treatment of the ads I attached, it is clear that marketing minds are at work to address the problem. The Nike-esque treatment gives the team a cool and current look and this is in no doubt thanks to younger, more forward thinking minds of people in the MSL. The FAM have probably realised that they needed to source for marketing talent and from a club perspective, Kelantan exemplifies this. KAFA is looking to/has appointed a third party marketing arm to capitalise on the popularity of the team and the sponsorship deal with Happy is but the first of many steps going forward.

Keep up the good work. I myself had no idea that so many of today's young Malaysian players have had attachments with foreign clubs. If you can, do provide more detail on the players.


Attached thumbnail(s)