PETALING JAYA: Various factors have been attributed to the drastic decline in the standard of Malaysian football.

Invariably, aspersions are cast towards the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) Football Academy.

Despite having to face the brunt of public discontentment, the academy’s management appears confident that improvements in the quality of play will be forthcoming.

In a recent interview with Bernama, PKNS FC secretary Mahfizul Rusydin, PKNS Football Academy manager Zulkefli Khalid, assistant manager Raja Muhammad Raja Harun and chief coach Mazlan Mat Diah shed some light on developments at the academy. Formed in 2000, the academy had started out as a football clinic for children of PKNS staff.

According to Mazlan, the setting up of the football clinic had generated a lot of interest among members of the public.

“We received numerous inquiries on the matter from members of the public, so I decided that it would be best to open the clinic to anyone who is serious in wanting to improve his footballing skills,” Mazlan said.

“Hence I named the association the PKNS FC Football Academy,” he said.

Interestingly, the age of those who have enrolled with the academy ranged from as young as eight years old to 18.

Mazlan said with 272 trainees at present, the academy hopes to be able to raise the quality of local football to be on par with that in the 70s, the halcyon days of local football.

“In the course of playing for their employer PKNS as well as for the state of Selangor, players like the late Mokhtar Dahari and Zainal Abidin Hassan for example, had created Malaysian football history.

“The Malaysian football greats of the 70s served as the source of inspiration for the trainees at the academy, each of whom aspires to eventually develop a formidable reputation of their own, as a football star,” Mazlan added.

Currently the academy’s management is strategising an effective basic training programme.

As the manager entrusted with the responsibility to ensure that its mission is within reach, Zulkefli has his work cut out for him.

“The academy was established with a view of becoming the centre of football excellence in Malaysia. By developing a training programme that is consistent an effective, we are confident that this can be achieved,” Zulkifli said.

The strategy involves designing a comprehensive training programme that incorporates technical skills training on the field, friendly matches, developing an effective academic syllabus in the field of sports sciences like injury prevention and diet, apart from organising motivational workshops.

“The syllabus for both the theory and practical aspects are constantly being reviewed and updated to meet international standards as stipulated by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM),” he said.

Facilities available at the PKNS sports complex include five football fields complete with spectators gallery, changing rooms and classrooms.

Since the academy does not have a hostel to house its trainees whereby it could then constantly monitor their performance, it has roped in the parents to monitor their sons’ conduct at home.

“With the services of a highly experienced football coach, who is once a reputable player himself, the academy is able to tailor an all-rounded development programme suitable for football players from various age groups,” he said.

According to assistant manager Raja Muhammad, the effort to uplift the quality of local football is deemed a social obligation that has been entrusted upon the academy’s management.

“We may not be international football stars ourselves but our trainees will have the benefit of whatever knowledge and experience that we have garnered throughout our years of involvement in the sport,” he said.

The academy charges a trainee RM30 monthly, which is a pittance really, when compared with the facilities that are at their disposal.

“Our fees are so low that we can never hope to recoup our operating costs,” said Raja Muhammad.

“However, this does not deter us from our mission. The academy has managed to secure corporate sponsorship to defray operating expenses,” he said.

In this aspect, the management is indebted to the PKNS administration, especially PKNS FC patron Datuk Harun Salim for his undivided support and sponsorship.

The academy’s rigid training schedule stretches over the weekend.

According to Raja Muhammad, the intense weekend training sessions have averted the trainees from indulging in unhealthy social activities that could jeopardise their future.

In addition to this, the academy regularly conducts moral and spiritual classes as well as motivational talks for its trainees.

“Knowledge and spiritual fortitude goes hand in hand towards character development in a football player. It is no use having a player who is deft on the field but is found wanting in discipline and character. Such a player would not go far in his football career,” said Raja Muhammad.

With the level of commitment and enthusiasm displayed by its management, the academy is well on the path to producing a pool of local football talents that are highly skilled, disciplined, and emotionally and physically committed to the improvement of their game.

Upon completion of their internship at the academy, trainees are given priority for selection into the Under 19 category in the Youth League and progressively move on to the Presidents League, Premier League, before having the opportunity to be selected and play for the country.

As such, the academy sees itself as a factory tasked with producing highly skilled and proficient players.

“Given the right physical exercise, technical skills training and mental aptitude, coupled with a comprehensive sponsorship programme, there is no limit as to how far our players can go.

“Such comprehensive support will definitely inspire both players and trainers to give their level best for the sake of the country,” said Raja Muhammad, who conceded that the local football scene specifically and national sports generally, could do with a bit more publicity.

 — Bernama