I REFER to the recently held National Football Development Project (NFDP) workshop organised by the Youth and Sports Ministry supported by the Education Ministry and the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM).

In particular, I would like to comment on the high expectations of all concerned from the Education Ministry.

This is mainly based on the past achievements of the Malaysian Schools Sports Council, popularly known as MSSM.

I understand that many participants were disappointed with the defensive attitude of the education officials.

I am not surprised with the feelings of these schools officials!

Things have changed. I noticed the early signs of the change in attitude during my last year of service as an education officer, when I retired after 35 years of service in 1989.

Volunteerism was slowly disappearing; parents were more concerned about higher academic achievements; media was giving more prominence to schools scoring all As; sports teachers were losing out on promotions; trade unions were questioning the extra time spent by teachers on Saturdays and on fixed time during school vacations; teachers neglecting extra-curricular activities were enriching themselves with tuition classes; neglect by the Education Ministry for recognising teachers who had contributed tremendously in bringing honour to the nation, e.g. not a single teacher involved in sports was awarded the National Tokok Guru viz late Toh Boon Hua (popularly recognised in the 50s and 60s as the founder of MSSM); it goes on and on!

But, all the above does not mean that things are lost! I must say that similar problems have been experienced by other nations.

Look at Europe, they now have paid talent scouts spotting talents for respective football academies.

These talents must still come from schools and therefore existing competitions of schools, both MSSM & MSS Negeri, must be followed by these talent scouts. How can this system work nationwide?

It comes back to the FAM. It must now be understood by all that our best national football stars come from FAM competitions. There is no other way.

Therefore, it is necessary initially, for all its affiliates to set up football academies within their states/associations/forces eg: FAS/PKNS/ATM.

Selected trainees are expected to sign contracts, be it professional or amateur, irrespective of the Super League or otherwise.

The Youth and Sports Ministry (MoS), the Education Ministry (MoE) and the FAM should initiate this venture jointly by drawing their plans of implementation.

The MoS should through the National Sports Council (NSC) play a major role in funding through the NFDP overall project. However, the maintenance and control of the academies should be funded through the state sports council/government for state FAs.

The associations and forces should be able to seek their own sponsors. This does not restrict FAM and state FAs from seeking sponsors. This is a very complicated process which needs to be discussed with sincerity and dedication.

This project should be handled by Lim Teong Kim who comes with experience in Germany, where talents are groomed by clubs for higher level of achievement.

After about three to five years the FAM should be in complete control of the whole process of this development.

This is the reality faced in Europe and many parts of the world.

DATUK A. VAITHILINGAM

Former MSSM official

Subang Jaya