Abdul Wahab (second left) speaking to reporters during the press conference. Also seen are McMahon (third right), de Kretser (third left), Aria (second right) and FAS vice presidents Razali Dolhan (left) and Cassidy Morris (right).
KUCHING: Next weekend will be a million-dollar chance for young Sarawakians to chase soccer fame and riches by auditioning for European clubs.
The Football Association of Sarawak (FAS) is calling young footballers aged between 11 and 14 years old who aspire to become professional footballers to participate in a grassroots football programme called the Million Dollar Feet (MDF) next week.
According to FAS officials, the two-day programme scheduled to be held at Padang C of Stadium Negeri, starts on Saturday (Oct 8) and ends on Sunday (Oct 9).
FAS is calling aspiring youngsters from throughout the state who are interested in making football a career path to participate.
FAS and MDF programme officials hope to see 2,000 youngsters aged between 11 and 14 turning up in force for chance to win a ticket to fame.
Speaking during a press conference held at a hotel yesterday, FAS deputy president Abdul Wahab Rahim commented that the programme is a good way to scout unpolished gems in Sarawak and hopefully create world class players from the state.
This was because he opined that FAS cannot do the scouting itself, which is why they are looking forward to working closely with MDF and other programmes as such in the future.
“In the name of Sarawak football development, we here at FAS appreciate those who come to Sarawak and conduct footballing programmes like MDF here.
“We also would like to remind Sarawakians that we are doing all we can to develop Sarawak football and hope our efforts would also be supported by all Sarawakians too,” he added.
The newly elected FAS exco, which includes Wahab himself, has promised to focus on development of Sarawakian football at the grassroots level and women’s football as well.
For MDF details and registration, visit their website here.
There is a cap of 2,000 participants per location and participation is free of charge.
MDF is a football project seeking young talents for tryouts with European clubs with the idea of putting the first Malaysian footballer on the world map by getting the player a stint with a top European side, according to MDF director of football Peter de Kretser.
The programme will see former Liverpool captain Steve McMahon, who is the head coach of the programme, conducting drills and tryouts in Penang (Sept 24-25), Kuantan (Oct 1-2), Kuching (Oct 8-9), Johor Bahru (Oct 14-15) and Kuala Lumpur (Oct 21-22).
About 10,000 young football enthusiasts, aged 11-14 years from nationwide, are expected to participate in the programme where only the two best players will be selected for an all-expenses paid trip to the United Kingdom (UK).
The final selections will be held at Dataran Merdeka on Oct 23 to select two players for the 10-day ultimate experience in UK, with the opportunity to be witnessed by scouts from top European football clubs.
Both McMahon and de Kretser were present during the press conference together with Abdul Wahab, Brickfields Asia College (BAC) chief operating officer Aria Singham and other FAS exco members.