No half-hearted efforts, football teams told

0

KUCHING: Sarawak’s President’s Cup and Sukma XIII teams are urged to give nothing less than 100 per cent when they compete in the two competitions.

WE ARE THE BEST: Francis (seated, third left) and Lucas Kalang (seated, second left) with the players and officials of the President’s Cup and Sukma XIII football teams.

WE ARE THE BEST: Francis (seated, third left) and Lucas Kalang (seated, second left) with the players and officials of the President’s Cup and Sukma XIII football teams.

Making the call at a dinner for the players and officials on Thursday night, Sarawak State Sports Council (MSNS) director Francis Nyurang Ding said the state was banking on them to deliver.

“You are very fortunate to be selected to play in the two competitions and I believe you are here because you are the best,” Francis said, adding that MSNS, with the close co-operation of the Football Association of Sarawak

(FAS) and the State Education Department would see to the proper implementation of its five-year development plan.

Francis said the state government had tasked MSNS to oversee football development in the state and for this, the Council had come up with a development programme from 2010 to 2015.

“The main objective is to produce back-up players for the senior squad and allow FAS FMG Sdn Bhd to concentrate on managing the Premier League team,” he added.

The President’s Cup and Sukma are part of the development programme to spot talents at the grassroots level.

“While in the team, you are to follow the instructions of the team manager and coaches and be committed in training. We need to work together to achieve our target,” Francis told the players.

He also stressed he would not tolerate indiscipline.

“We will not compromise on discipline. Good discipline is very important in any sport. No matter how good you are, we will have to say ‘sorry’ and let you go if you are not disciplined,” he warned. Francis thanked parents of the players for their support and FAS, FAS FMG Sdn Bhd, State Education Department and all other parties involved for their cooperation.

Also present at the dinner organised by MSNS was its sports officer Lucas Kalang who is also the technical director for the President Cup team and coordinator for the football development programme.