YOUNG ONES: The U-16 trinees listen to tips on quality football games at Petronas Games Village Miri.
KUCHING: Focusing at the early stage is essential in order to produce not just good football players, but at the same time for players to possess personal skills, correct technique and tactics during play.
Alan Vest was expressing his view after the launching of the Sarawak Football Development Programme (SFDP) camp atPetronasGamesVillage, Miri, recently.
The formerSarawakcoach said, aspiring local players in the state should be given early attention from primary-school age level.
“Coaches (teachers) should be well exposed to the correct procedures to bring up the players.
It is vital that at an early stage, they are taught on most basic training module such as the fast speed with or without cone, ball control and body coordination,” said Vest who will facilitate players under-16 and selected teachers for the camp which was organised by the Sarawak State Sports Council (MSNS) in collaboration Ministry of Social Development and Urbanisation (KPSU).
Vest added that it would be also very important for the young players to be taught the correct method of ball control, basic skills and first touch passing.
“This is why the football clinic will not only focuses on players’ development but also the need to build knowledgeable coaches, in this case is their teachers in school,” Vest stressed.
Adding that the state is heading towards the right direction with the football development programme and pointed out that only dedicated participant of the programme will bear the expected results.
He reminded that players should maintain a steady pace and discipline by training at least four times a week, in order to stand a good chance to shine in the game.
When asked on the quality of the students at the camp, Vest said out from 50 players from the northern zone, quiet a number of the participants had shown potential talents.
“Around a dozen of players had the quality which I believe can turn them into good players forSarawak,” he added.
Meanwhile, Mike Leigh who is also the facilitator of the programme said individual skills and correct playing technique should be taught at an early stage.
“You cannot teach these when the players were already more than 18 years old. It is too late for them to learn the basics of body coordination and ball control at this stage,” he added.
Earlier on, MSNS director Francis Nyurang Ding in his opening address said MSNS realized the importance of development at an early stage and pointed that the state can look forward for quality players in the future if attention was given to young potential players.
“We will not left any stones unturned in this quest to ensure the state football will return to its former glory,” said Francis.
A total of 25 primary schools teachers from of Miri participated in the Sarawak Football Development Programme (SFDP) coaching clinic.
According to him, the target group (teachers) is the front liners as the coaching clinic will give comprehensive coaching technique which to be taught to their students.
The Northen Zone (Miri, Limbang and Bintulu) camp was held from Nov 17 to 24 .