PUTRAJAYA – Relying on naturalised talent for short-term success is not a sustainable strategy and it is vital for the nation to develop homegrown talent in sports, said Sports Commissioner Suhardi Alias.
He clarified that, while he has no direct involvement in the approval process of naturalised athletes, a broader perspective must be considered for the future.
“We are not against the intake of naturalised athletes, but we need to consider this from a broader, future-oriented standpoint,” said Suhardi.
He cited examples like Singapore and Germany, where the influx of naturalised athletes led to discontent among the population and imbalances in the national team.
“For instance, Singapore historically accepted naturalised athletes from other countries, causing dissatisfaction among its population.
“In Germany, the inclusion of naturalised (import) players in their football league resulted in a shortage of strikers for the national team.
“In the short-term, the impact is of course positive, but these athletes will decline and can no longer represent the country – so naturalisation is not the long-term solution,” he told reporters after the launch ceremony for Asia Triathlon Cup here today.
Suhardi added to foster comprehensive growth in Malaysian sports, it is imperative to implement a sustained programme aimed at developing local athletes.
He cited the example of footballer Faisal Halim as a testament to the positive outcomes of nurturing local talents.
“You can see the results in developing our athletes like footballer Faisal Halim, we need more of him (local homegrown talents) if we want our sports ecosystem to be more sustainable,” added Suhardi.
In recent decades, Malaysia has employed naturalised athletes to compete on behalf of the nation in various sports such as athletics, diving, and rugby, and particularly prevalent in football recently. – January 31, 2024