MSNS will work closely with Education Dept to lay foundation for development
KUCHING: Sarawak State Sports Council (MSNS) will work closely with Sarawak Education Department to lay the foundation for football development in the state.MSNS development coordinator Lucas Kalang Laeng will be concentrating more on the schools in the search for new blood.
Alan Vest, former state coach and technical director of the state development programme, will oversee the structuring and implementation of the project as well as monitor its progress.
“The schools are our future. The programme will include students from Form One to Six,” Kalang said.
He added that from each of these classes, at least five players would be chosen for the programme.
According to him, the initial focus would be on the basics to help the young players form good habits right from the start.
“At the intermediate level, the players will be taught the technical aspects while the tactical aspects will come in at the advance stage. Normally, the latter will be taught to individuals.
“The object is to train up good players for Sukma and the President’s Cup. If they make the grade, they will be absorbed into the state squad under FAS,” Kalang said.
He added that the programme would continue to build up the players until they reached a certain stage.
“What usually happens to our good players is that when they finish their education, say, at Form Five, they are nowhere to be found.
“Some of the good ones will stay at their kampung, doing farming while others will go elsewhere looking for jobs. Some who excel in their studies will pursue higher education. These can be called the missing links of football development in the state.”
He said by giving the young players an option to join the development programme, they could opt to stay and give football their full commitment.
“In this way, it will be easier to trace them and check on their progress.”
Kalang said the groundwork for the programme would be handled by the zonal coaches.
“They will be working full-time with Sarawak State Sports Council to monitor the players and do monthly assessment on their performance.”
He added that development would be a long-term process to give the players time to reach their potential.
“Thirty schools will be used as training centres and divided into two groups … five to focus on the U-15 players and 15 on the U-17 players.
“Accommodation, food, equipment and education of the players will be provided by the schools.”
He said the students’ performance would be reviewed from time to time.
“Those who excel in education, extra curricular activities and sports will be awarded scholarships by Yayasan Sarawak. Moreover, an insurance scheme will be provided for the players.”
As part of the programme, Lucas disclosed, an Inter-Pusat competition would be held sometime in July and August.
“The purpose is to give all the zones a good sparring. Schools will bring their U-15 and U-17 squads for the competition at the venue to be fixed later.”