YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME TO IMPROVE STANDARD OF FOOTBALL

SERI KEMBANGAN (Malaysia), Feb 16 (Bernama) -- A youth development programme
starting from schools and universities is a must to improve the standard of
football in the country, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said here Sunday.

He said although this method of improving the standard of Malaysian football
would take time, it would be effective to unearth talent and directly take
Malaysian football to greater heights.

"We used to be good, and teams who played against us had the fear and true
enough they lost when they played Malaysia. But now with all the facilities, we
are (still) beaten," he said at the Gala Dinner organised by the Kelantan
Football Association (KAFA) at the Palace Of Golden Horses (POGH) here.

He said youth development programmes took time to achieve the desired
results to improve the national football team, "but I am confident that we can
become champions in the region once again."

He also commended KAFA for its initiative in starting the youth football
development programme as the team had been promoted from the premier league to
the super league in just one season.

The team also worked closely with their suppporters by doing charity work
and this has ensured higher gate collection at all their games.

"When the team help others in need, they become champion of the community
and they get the suppport whenever they play because of a huge fan base," he
added.

At the gala dinner, Abdulah's wife, Jeanne Abdullah launched KAFA's 'We Care
Fund', which would be used for charity. KAFA will contribute five per cent of
its gate collection to the fund.

"This should be emulated by other teams as KAFA not only develops players
but also contributes to the society," Abdullah said.
-- BERNAMA