KUCHING: Football Association of Sarawak (FAS) president Datu Sudarsono Osman wants a re-vamp in the development of football in Sarawak.
Sudarsono (right) receiving a memento from the Sarawak Cup organising chairman Datu Mohd Abu Bakar Marzuki at the Sarawak Golf Club on Monday.
A revolution of sorts is needed especially at the grassroot and youth level for early identification of talented players.
“We do have a system to scout young players at the moment, but it seemed to have yielded no result. What we are trying to do now is to reshape and try other methods instead,” he explained.
He said FAS will soon meet up with the various football academies throughout the state to work out a plan to produce quality local footballers.
The academies, he continued, will have more time to train youngsters and FAS will provide the technical assistance.
“These academies will be registered by the FAS soon. I believe FAS and the various football academies in Sarawak can work with together closely and hopefully improve the development of Sarawak football.”
Meanwhile, he called on players who have represented the state at Sukma or the President’s Cup but are now over the age limit to play in local leagues or take up coaching.
The overhaul of the system will also extend to divisional football leagues in the state.
“There is a need for all the divisional football associations in the state to sit down together and discuss this matter. We want the divisions to organise leagues which can also help produce players capable of representing Sarawak at the highest level,” he added.
The FAS chief was speaking to reporters at the Sarawak Golf Club where he was guest-of-honour for the Sarawak Cup welcoming dinner on Monday.