BINTULU: Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) always supports efforts to lift the standard of football in the State.

A revision coaching course held here on May 4 and 5 was part of that support, FAM technical director Robert Rene Alberts said yesterday.

The two-day course had taught the 27 teachers in attendance a lot about organising football competitions, he added.

“They were also shown proper warming up techniques and how to scout for new talents. Some had succeeded in gaining their coaching licences.”

Alberts said the course also provided guidelines on how to manage a team during matches.

“To develop Malaysian football, the roots should be strong, especially among coaches,” he added.

The course organised at Kidurong Club by Bintulu Development Authority Football Academy (BDAFA) and Bintulu Football Association was the first ever in Bintulu.

Alberts praised BDAFA coordinator Farhan Abdullah for helping to organise the course.

“FAM supports efforts by any groups to improve the quality of football in Malaysia and we are happy to help if needed. We hope more local coaches will join future courses.”

Alberts hoped other divisions like Miri and Sibu would also make the effort to promote the sport.

He reiterated that FAM would help them so long as they were determined to improve.

Meanwhile, Farhan said most of the participants were teachers, adding that this was an advantage because they could train their students and build up strong teams for their schools.