Abdul Hajis
SIBU: Sibu Football Association will revamp and restructure its current football development programme as it continues the quest to search for young footballers to represent Sibu Division in future tournaments.
Sibu FA secretary Abdul Hajis said that was the only way forward for the Sibu division football team following its disastrous and embarrassing show at the just concluded Sarawak Cup held in Miri.
Hajis said the current batch of players, with many obviously losing the interest and passion to strive for glory, were already a spent force and they could no longer be expected to perform when the calling came.
“We will have to start all over again if we are serious to regain the past glory where Sibu were once a force to be reckoned with in the state football championship,” he added.
Hajis said Sibu FA had targeted to qualify for at least the quarter-final berth in the Sarawak Cup but the team returned with poor results.
Against Miri, Sibu lost 0-3, beaten by ATM 2-1 before suffered a heavy thrashing by the Young Crocs at 2-8.
Hajis admitted it was sickening to watch his boys play during the tournament in Miri as the players just failed to give their best.
“They not only lacked creativity and flair but their fitness was also something seriously lacking. The strikers were not up to the mark, giving away scoring opportunities while the defenders tended to make gross misjudgement in many instances, giving away easy goals.”
Hajis admitted the players also lacked experience as most of them were included in the Sibu squad after last minute’s selection.
He said Sibu FA had initially shortlisted 65 players from the Sibu League Naim Cup 2012 Championship to undergo intensive training for the Sarawak Cup.
“Unfortunately, only a few of them responded. As a result, we did not have much choice but to send all those who had turned up for training to represent Sibu for the Sarawak Cup despite them not being the best of the best from Sibu division.”
Hajis refused to speculate why the good players did not turn up for the final selection but it was generally believed that those who refused to turn up for training were unhappy with Sibu FA over several matters pertaining to welfare.
Hajis, nevertheless, ruled out any controversy, saying Sibu FA was working hard to upgrade and improve the standard of the local footballers.
Meanwhile, Hajis said Sibu FA would stage the U-18 and U-21 football championships to unearth young stars that would eventually be groomed to represent Sibu Division in future tournaments.
He said these players would also be ready to represent Sibu for the President Cup, Sukma or any other local tournaments.
On another matter, Hajis said the lack of football playing field had also seriously hampered the development of the sport here.
He hoped the Sports Ministry would seriously look into this problem.