Set goals using Chelsea blueprint, PM tells FAM

PUTRAJAYA: The Blues fan Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob wants Chelsea-like football development for Malaysia and said local teams can emulate the English Premier League team.

He said a talented football player needs to be guided by a good coach from young while a coach needs guidance from an expert coach.

“This process is not a big secret but it has become a winning formula for any team,” Ismail said at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Football Association of Malaysia’s (FAM) headquarters in Presint 5, Putrajaya.

He said technical skills gained from the guidance of a great coach would improve the marketability of a player, not just locally but internationally as well.

He gave the example of Chelsea, which he praised for its comprehensive ecosystem including football academy.

“The academy manages a team of players that are as young as nine years old to the age of 23, an ecosystem that involves coaches, club management and parents’ support.

“Other than increasing technical capabilities, the club develops the marketability as well as the quality of its players, who don the blue jersey.

“This should be emulated by our country’s football clubs,” he said.

Ismail also said Malaysia could learn from Vietnam, which had a development programme involving players from an early age.

He said the development of football should be made a national agenda, involving the relevant ministries, GLCs and the private sector, and should not be the sole responsibility of FAM.

He also announced a RM10 million grant to FAM to develop football. — Free Malaysia Today