KUANTAN – Malaysia’s success in winning the 2022 Asean Football Federation (AFF) Under-19 (U-19) Championship in Indonesia yesterday is proof that the country’s football development is on the right track, said Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Senator Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker.
He said it showed that the upcoming players were ready to take national football to greater heights.
The national squad to the AFF U-19 Championship saw 21 of the 25 players in the team being products of the National Football Development Programme (NFDP).
“This shows the achievements and performance of our players as well as the success with which the programme is organised and structured to meet targets and it is a good development.
“Our future is bright and with the training and commitment of all those involved in football, I am confident we can achieve a better level in the future,” he said when commenting on Malaysia’s success in beating Laos 2-0 in the final of the AFF 2022 U-19 Championship at Stadium Patriot Candrabhaga in Bekasi.
He was met at the Pahang Youth and Sports Carnival 2022 that was officiated by the Regent of Pahang Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah who also participated in the 5-kilometre Fun Run and presented Y-Career Programme job offer letters to five individuals here, today.
Also present were Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail and National Sports Council director-general Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail.
Commenting further, Ti said Pahang also played a role in the development of football when the late Sultan Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah allowed the use of land to develop the Mokhtar Dahari National Football Academy in Gambang, here.
For the record, the national U-19 squad posted a good record in the last three editions of the tournament, winning the 2018 edition which was also the first time for Malaysia in its history, besides emerging runners-up in 2017 and 2019.
Touching on the three-day carnival that started yesterday with various programmes like the Fun Run, Fun Ride, futsal, Esports mini carnival and discounts on summonses issued by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Road Transport Department (JPJ) and Kuantan City Council up to 50 per cent, he said it received encouraging response.
According to Ti, his ministry also plans to increase the number of leisure activities that attract young people to take up sports, including the organisation of the Fun Run. – Bernama, July 16, 2022
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