KUALA LUMPUR – The issue with the National Football Development Programme (NFDP) lies not in its concept but in its management, says former national under-16 head coach P. Maniam.
The 56-year-old coach expressed his concerns following Scoop’s earlier report that the programme, which has run for over a decade, might be scrapped by the government over claims it is a “waste of taxpayers’ money.”
A reliable source revealed to Scoop that the NFDP—jointly managed by the Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) and the National Sports Council (NSC), with the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) on its steering committee—has come under fire after the national under-17 team failed to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.
The team, primarily composed of NFDP graduates who trained at Akademi Mokhtar Dahari (AMD), represents Malaysia in international tournaments and friendlies. Both the NFDP and AMD fall under the purview of KBS and NSC.
Speaking to Scoop, Maniam, now head coach of Polis Diraja Malaysia FC, praised the programme’s efforts since its inception in 2011.
He highlighted its role in nurturing young talent and suggested that if the government cannot manage it effectively, FAM should take over.
“It’s sad if the programme is shelved by the government, as it has been the main platform for young talents to achieve their football dreams.
“Over the years, the programme has transitioned thousands of players, giving them opportunities to play in the youth teams of Super League clubs,” he said.
Maniam cautioned that scrapping the NFDP would harm player development and reduce the talent pool for the national team.
“If the government does intend to scrap it, do they have a plan B?
“I personally feel the issue does not lie with the NFDP itself but with its management. If the government cannot manage it well, they should hand it over to FAM,” said Maniam when contacted.
Maniam acknowledged that few NFDP graduates have advanced to the senior national team in recent years, attributing this to a lack of direction and long-term planning.
“Perhaps with FAM having full control, things could improve for the betterment of youth football,” he added.
Maniam, who took over the role from Datuk Lim Teong Kim in 2019, led the under-16 team under the management of then-manager Datuk S. Sivasundaram, also the Football Association of Malaysia’s deputy president.
During his tenure (2019-2020), the team achieved notable success.
By selecting young players from various states and football clubs rather than relying solely on AMD players, the team won the 2019 AFF U16 Boys’ Championship, coming from behind to defeat host Thailand 2-1 in the final.
Within the same year, they also triumphed at the Jockey Club Football Tournament in Hong Kong after defeating Iran and winning the Chinese Football Association International Youth Tournament against North Korea.
Prominent players who have flourished under Maniam’s mentorship include Syahmi Safari (JDT), V. Ruventhiran (Selangor FC), Darren Lok (Sabah FC), and Mahalli Jasuli (Kuala Lumpur City FC).
The NFDP has been a vital platform for Malaysia’s youth football development, but its future remains uncertain amid concerns over funding and direction. – November 28, 2024