As a Malaysian, I have absolute disdain for the way that football is being run in this country. From striking fears into the hearts of Koreans and Japanese to being wary of the likes of Myanmar and Vietnam. Football in Malaysia is not only in the doldrums, it has reached the bottom of the darkest and coldest imaginable pit. From the top (Presidents and Vice-presidents) to the bottom (school coaches), everything is in shambles.
Over the last 2 decades, there is not a single noted achievement of which I can be proud of. Finishing runners-up in the 2003 Sea Games at home ground? You've gotta be kidding me. The merry-go-round of coaches together with the result embarrassment are the only consistent feature of our national squad. To be honest, the coaches whom were employed were with big reputations. Claude Le Roy? Didn't he took Cameroon to the World Cup. Alan Harris? Didn't he served Barcelona with distinction?
In terms of infrastructure, Malaysia will win the South East Asia (SEA) competition hands down. Yet still lacking in the quality on the pitch. The management of FAM have to take full responsibility for the constant failures. The problem goes deeper through to the grassroots of the game, the schooling years, be it primary or secondary. You can't take out racism in football, no matter where you are. I've suffered this first hand.
People with the right expertise and knowledge are not given the full control of the way things in a team are run. There are always discreet directions or orders being given by those in the upper position who think that they know something. Players who are "friends" or "pet" of those in power will have no fear for the position in the team (cue Ahmad Shahrul Azhar). If the fans can see it for years, it's a big wonder why the officials especially the coach can't see it. That is the surest sign of higher power at work.
For the standard and quality to rise back to the level that once made us proud to be a Malaysian supporter would need the following;
1. No more politics in football. Anyone and everyone who have are involved in country politics should not be allowed to handle footballing matters. It should be left to the real experts; ex-players, coaches with license.
2. Grassroots level should be better managed. Systems should be in place replacing currents formats of competition in school levels. Synchronizing of best development systems that all schools should abide by. No discrimination towards race or colour, only discrimination for the talent side.
I have a much more drastic approach in which I'm sure will succeed but harder in terms of implementation. Parents alike will disapprove of my measures. Scouts should be sent to all schools, villages and cities to search for potential children who have never played football but possess the brain and physique to be a success. These individuals should be plucked from obscurity and placed in boarding schools to study by morning and play football by night. The essence of football would then be able to be embedded into their young brains and allow them to mature with that thinking.
Sadly though, this method would not work in Malaysia due to the kind of pressure that young kids face nowadays when plying your trade as a footballer is no longer considered a success in life.
In terms of infrastructure, Malaysia will win the South East Asia (SEA) competition hands down. Yet still lacking in the quality on the pitch. The management of FAM have to take full responsibility for the constant failures. The problem goes deeper through to the grassroots of the game, the schooling years, be it primary or secondary. You can't take out racism in football, no matter where you are. I've suffered this first hand.
People with the right expertise and knowledge are not given the full control of the way things in a team are run. There are always discreet directions or orders being given by those in the upper position who think that they know something. Players who are "friends" or "pet" of those in power will have no fear for the position in the team (cue Ahmad Shahrul Azhar). If the fans can see it for years, it's a big wonder why the officials especially the coach can't see it. That is the surest sign of higher power at work.
For the standard and quality to rise back to the level that once made us proud to be a Malaysian supporter would need the following;
1. No more politics in football. Anyone and everyone who have are involved in country politics should not be allowed to handle footballing matters. It should be left to the real experts; ex-players, coaches with license.
2. Grassroots level should be better managed. Systems should be in place replacing currents formats of competition in school levels. Synchronizing of best development systems that all schools should abide by. No discrimination towards race or colour, only discrimination for the talent side.
I have a much more drastic approach in which I'm sure will succeed but harder in terms of implementation. Parents alike will disapprove of my measures. Scouts should be sent to all schools, villages and cities to search for potential children who have never played football but possess the brain and physique to be a success. These individuals should be plucked from obscurity and placed in boarding schools to study by morning and play football by night. The essence of football would then be able to be embedded into their young brains and allow them to mature with that thinking.
Sadly though, this method would not work in Malaysia due to the kind of pressure that young kids face nowadays when plying your trade as a footballer is no longer considered a success in life.
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1 comment:
I doubt there will be any changes in the system until the day I die.. it's sad, I know, but of course, always hope for the best-lah. Cheers to Bergkamp!
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