The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) defended its decision to send the Harimau Muda A squad to play in the First League of Slovakia and considered it an effort to elevate the country's performance in football.
FAM deputy president Datuk Seri Redzuan Sheikh Ahmad said the stint by the Under-21 team did not mean that FAM squandered money.
"The matter is subjective and FAM is monitoring their performance there. If its just playing friendlies, they might as well play here but we want that they play to enhance skills and experience."
"I want to stress that FAM does not waste money at will and we hope for public support," he said at a news conference related to the issue of the squad's trip to Slovakia at Wisma FAM, Kelana Jaya, on Monday.
He was commenting on newspaper reports that criticised the squad's particiapation in the First League of Slovakia as being just playing friendly matches and that the squad was not listed as a team competing in the league.
Redzuan said FAM constantly monitored the performance of the players and they were focused on their game.
"This the first time a national squad is playing in a foreign league and we have strived hard to give then an opportunity to enhance their football skills in that country," he said.
Redzuan said that after the Slovakia stint the Harimau Muda will play in the President Obama Cup in Michigan, the United States from May 18-25.
According to him, after playing in the Slovakia First League, the Harimau Muda is expected to play in the Singapore League next year if it was agreed to by the Football Association of Singapore.
Redzuan said FAM was planning to arrange four international matches for the squad with the Under-21 squads of Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland but the dates had not been fixed.
Dear Fans ,
ReplyDeleteWhy Slovakia.To enhance a player's skill one don't have to go all the way to Slovakia to get it done. Proper training program , lots of hard work, sincere commitment from every coaches involved with the development of the players. With temperature below zero,how one can train and get acclimatise with the condition to perform better. I am surprise with FAM to send a team there rather than to a country which suitable to our competitors climate. With all the experts and knowing pretty well that playing under adverse condition doesn't really help in the skill development of the players. How many countries from our regional competition comes from such climatic condition. Come on FAM , please be honest and practical . Tell the rakyat , what ever decision the Council made was not right thing to waste rakyat's money. You can develop any player right here with right form of training and having a coach who is willing to work very hard. I am surpise with Azraai Khor for accepting the assignment and go ahead with the competition.Coach decides , not FAM regardingcompetition and training methods.Coaches, for god sake ,please be honest. Ma God Bless FAM and the future generation of Footballers!!!!!
Ex-National
when u squander the funds...there's many excuses to give. until the mindset in making a fast buck stops...all ill-fated ventures in the name of National Football will continue.
ReplyDeleteBro, Next year Sea Game kat Indonesia tu sejuk ke? Suhu bawah paras beku?
ReplyDeleteLogikkah Fam hantar team tu training kat sana?
Sedangkan Raja Gopal tak training kat sana pun boleh buat sesuatu????
Hello all of you , the next SEA Games will be held in Bandung. Now those of you who have been to Bandung will know that thetemperature in Punchak Bandung is cooler and colder than Cameron Highlands. Now if our Harimau Muda are trained in Slovakia , where the temperature falls below zero most of the days, you know what FAM is thinking!
ReplyDeleteOur young Malaysian Tigers will turn to become the Great Siberian Tigers, with thick coats and they will look grand and intimidating to the opponents. So that is FAM's logic la. Tentu at Bandung in that cool enviornment our Tigers will emerge Champions and after that they will tell you doubting public. I told you so. Ha!