Youth development has been the go-to word of just about everyone — Football Chiefs, Sports Ministers, journalists, critics, fans, coaches, etc.
While some have proven to be mere lip service in the wake of unsatisfactory results, there have long been genuine concerns on the lack of proper concerted development in Malaysian football.
A former FA of Malaysia (FAM) president, while acknowledging the need to emphasis youth development, was even previously quoted saying: "It was encouraged but not compulsory."
Such has been the story for years or even decades as local football teams place little emphasis on investing in the future and nurturing talent.
So much so that the FAM took things into their own hands with the now-defunct Harimau Muda programme in 2007 and the ongoing collaboration with the Sports Ministry for the National Football Development Programme (NFDP) since 2011.
Both have yielded results of some kind, but neither ideal in the football world and somewhat encourages football clubs to take gas off the pedal with regards to youth development.
But in the JDT Academy, the Malaysian football landscape has more than a perfect example of what football development should have been like since years ago.
Pic courtesy of the Southern Tigers
The Southern Tigers were only established in 2013 but it has by far exceeded the rest of the field and are continuing to take leaps forward. JDT is arguably the only football club in the country with an academy similar to international standards — personnel, facilities and set-up.
The academy took full flight in 2015 following a collaboration with Borussia Dortmund that saw foreign coaches from the German giants based at the Academy and in 2017, a collaboration with Peter Lim owned Valencia CF brought Spanish coaches who have since decided to stay in Johor following the end of a two-year partnership.
Today, the JDT Academy caters from Under-12s all the way to Under-21.
Pic courtesy of the Southern Tigers
So how different is the JDT Academy?
For starters, the Padang Mawar Training Centre provides the JDT Academy with good facilities such as a well-equipped gymnasium, multiple training pitches and training modules adapted from Valencia.
There are training sessions and competition — both local and international — throughout the year instead of merely relying on the school sports system until Under-17.
The JDT Academy trainees live together, study together and train/play football together. They are also sent for additional classes to ensure their studies are not left behind as they chase dreams of becoming a professional footballer.
Nutritional needs are also given due consideration at the JDT Academy as trainees are educated about the importance of a good diet. There are dedicated chefs to ensure the trainees are eating right.
The JDT Academy also have a scouting department to scout for players all over Malaysia.
While the NFDP comes mighty close or is on par in many of the aspects above, it does lack in providing continuity as there is a vacuum between the trainees graduating at 17 and entering professional football compared to the Southern Tigers having up to the Under-21s and JDT II in the Malaysia Premier League.
While other local clubs have Under-19, Under-21 and some even feeder/development teams in the second tier, they simply do not offer a wholesome experience compared to JDT.
Pic courtesy of the Southern Tigers
JDT may have relied on purchasing power to make their initial mark in Malaysian football but the club is now starting to reap fruits from the investments made into the JDT Academy.
The JDT Academy have won nine domestic and international trophies since 2018, 10 if you include JDT II's 2019 Challenge Cup triumph where the juniors and seniors players combined. The likes of Ramadhan Saifullah, Arif Aiman Hanapi and Feroz Baharudin from the JDT Academy made their senior team debuts in recent times and have seen the explosive impact by Ramadhan to grab headlines, it is only a matter of time when the academy churns out more top quality footballers.
Former journalist Vijhay is Head of Content at Johor Darul Ta'zim FC following stints with Malay Mail, Sports247.my, FourFourTwo Malaysia and FOX Malaysia. You may have also heard him on BFM Football or watched him on Media Prima's football programmes. Vijhay can be reached at @vijhayvick on Twitter.
