KUALA LUMPUR – Football coaching and refereeing courses will be included in the sports co-curriculum courses of Institutions of Higher Learning (IPT) to give students the opportunity to obtain recognised certificates for their career development.
Welcoming the decision, Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) deputy president Datuk S. Sivasundaram said the younger generation could make it one of their career options as well as help in terms of physical and mental health.
Sivasundaram, who is also Technical and Development Committee and also FAM Refereeing Committee chairman said the introductory course will also instill strong discipline among youths.
“Individuals interested in becoming coaches and referees should be given space and opportunity when they step into the ivory tower. We cannot allow the previous scenario to repeat itself when they have to choose between a very broad academic path and a professional sports path that is not given equal exposure.
“Eventually their talents are wasted and football is then considered just a hobby or social sport among peers. We must build the foundation from the bottom, not from the top, regardless if it is a player, referee or coach,” he said in a statement from FAM today.
According to Sivasundaram, discussions on the effort were initiated during a meeting involving FAM president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin with Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad on October 7.
“On behalf of FAM, I am very pleased when MOHE takes this matter seriously and we are also excited to see the changes that will be brought into the learning structure of IPTs. FAM also appreciates the efforts made by MOHE in ensuring sports and academics go hand in hand.“Through this joint venture, I have high hopes that this co-curricular subject of coaching and refereeing will be considered and subsequently implemented in the learning structure of students in all IPTs in the country,” he said. – Bernama, November 27, 2021
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