SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIP: Rohana (left) presented with a jersey by Leong at Cardiff City Football Stadium to mark the five-year partnership between Astro and 1MCC.
KUCHING: 32 young Malaysian football talents under the 1Malaysia Cardiff City (1MCC)-Astro Kem B.O.L.A. training programme, stood proud and tall when they received cheers from 25,000 English football fans after completing their honour lap during half time of the match between Cardiff City Foodball Club and Blackburn at Cardiff City Football Stadium recently.
According to a press statement, the 1MCC- Astro Kem B.O.L.A programme has established itself as a successful partnership between 1MCC and Astro in developing and giving exposure to young athletes in helping them to excel in the sports industry since 2009.
A nationwide search for these young athletes commenced last year and assembled 2,530 boys and girls from six selection camps in six states throughout the country.
32 boys and 30 girls were then shortlisted to undergo further advanced training before the top 16 boys and 16 girls were selected to participate in a training programme at Cardiff City Football Club from March 23 to April 6.
According to Astro chief executive officer Dato Rohana Rozhan, “The 1MCC-Astro Kem B.O.L.A. is an effective avenue for us to develop and cultivate young Malaysians to excel at sports-related professions, especially in football.
“Astro’s collaboration with 1MCC has given these young talented footballers the international exposure that would benefit them at different levels,” said Rohana who was also presented with a jersey by 1MCC chief executive officer Datin Vivienne Leong at Cardiff City Football Stadium to mark the five-year partnership between Astro and 1MCC.
For the participants, it was the best experience they have encountered despite having to spend time so far away from home.
“I missed spending time with my family. However, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me to watch the interesting match between Cardiff City and Blackburn. Plus, we all get a close look at the stadium,” said Ann Natasha Anak Angkun, 12, of Kuching.
For Ahmad Izzuddin Al Qassam Baharuddin, it was the proudest moment when he found out he had been selected to go to Cardiff.
“My mother was ecstatic! Thank you Astro and 1MCC for making my dream came true. I want to make my family proud by becoming a good footballer!,” expressed the young lad from Kota Bharu.
Meanwhile, 1MCC head coach Jamie Barnett said: “These kids have been fantastic. They are well adapted and they listen to the CCFC coaches. Most importantly, they enjoy learning new skills. The girls in particular have done really well in their training. They will be meeting the CCFC Women’s team and hopefully this would spur them on to become catalysts to improve women’s football in Malaysia. These kids have the potential to play at a higher level in Malaysia for their respective states or for the country.”