KUALA LUMPUR — In the world of Malaysian football, the spotlight often shines on the flashy goals and dazzling dribbles, but what truly sets apart players at the highest level is their unwavering commitment to maintaining peak physical condition.
Current and former footballers have underlined the pivotal role that the daily grind of physical training plays in ensuring consistent excellence on the pitch.
Speaking to Scoop, national footballer Kogileswaran Raj said that maintaining good physical condition is the key required to showcase his best playing ability whenever he plays for Harimau Muda.
“People often underestimate the level of physical fitness required to play at a high level.
“I put in hours of training every day, focusing on strength, endurance, and agility.
“Without this base, it’s impossible for me to compete against international teams whenever I play for Malaysia,” he said.
The 24-year-old attacking midfielder, currently with Penang FC, keeps a close watch on his diet because he thinks eating without control can cause injuries before or during matches.
“I always fuel my body with the right nutrients to keep up with the intensity throughout the match.
“I realise that I tend to get injured if I consume unhealthy food that affects my stamina and makes my body heavier during games, ultimately leading to unnecessary injuries.
“As a footballer, it’s very important for me to take care of my body condition and stay within the regulations of the club so that I can play matches.
“Eating well and staying hydrated are as important as my training regimen,” Kogileswaran added.
Former Malaysian footballer Hairuddin Omar, popularly known as Hai-O among local football fans, echoed a similar sentiment, discussing the significance of proper rest and recovery during his time as a footballer.
“Recovery is often overlooked by young players nowadays. Recovery is where our bodies repair and grow stronger.
“During my time, I tended to focus on getting enough sleep and taking time for physical therapy.
“It was crucial for me to prevent injuries and maintain my top form during games,” Hairuddin said.
Kogileswaran and Hai-O’s comments come after the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) announced a strategic partnership with the University of Malaya (PPUM) to provide Harimau Malaya players with assistance to improve their physical condition.
FAM deputy president, Datuk S. Sivasundaram, said that the footballing body aims to provide the best healthcare system for its players to boost their conditioning during games.
“As is well known, injuries in football are not uncommon, and we at FAM attach great importance to the welfare of the players and want to ensure that they receive the best care.
“Through this collaboration, I am sure PPUM can further improve the strength and performance of the national squad by providing various types of care and treatment, especially in terms of sports injury management.
“On behalf of FAM President, Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin, as well as all FAM coaches, I would like to express my gratitude to PPUM for their willingness to be a sports injury referral centre for the national football squad,” said Sivasundaram.
The cooperation agreement was witnessed by the PPUM Sports Medicine Department head, Associate Professor Dr Mohd Nahar Azmi Mohamed. — September 21, 2023.