KLANG — Armed with a RM1 million development grant from Budget 2025, the Malaysian Cricket Association (MCA) is launching an ambitious nationwide search for hidden cricketing talent, focusing on remote regions like Sabah, Sarawak, Kelantan, and Kedah.
MCA president Mohammed Iqbal Ali Kassim Ali revealed that the funds would be channelled into expanding Talent Identification (TID) programmes, spearheaded by a team of eight scouts, including cricketing legend Jerome Fernandez.
“Since the RM1 million grant was announced, there has been debate over whether the funds should prioritise high-performance programmes,” Iqbal said during a jersey handover ceremony for the national women’s Under-19 team at Bayuemas Oval in Klang.
“However, we believe it is essential to invest in finding talent in every nook and corner of the country. For instance, our Under-19 girls’ team, while talented, needs players with greater physical strength to meet the demands of the sport,”
Iqbal emphasised the importance of involving experienced individuals like Jerome, who has a proven track record in identifying and nurturing young talent.
The MCA plans to intensify ground operations, deploying scouts to unearth potential players from regions often overlooked by mainstream sports initiatives.
“With this grant, we aim to conduct more TID programmes, particularly in remote areas of Sabah, Sarawak, Kelantan, and Kedah. We need people on the ground who can connect with these communities and spot hidden potential.
“Jerome, for example, identified many promising players during his time teaching in Kelantan. Similarly, Shukri Rahim, a national team mainstay for nearly 15 years and now the men’s team physio, is another invaluable asset,” Iqbal said.
To ensure comprehensive coverage, the eight-member scouting team will be deployed across different regions, with two scouts assigned to the Northern Region (Penang and Perak), two to the Central Region, one to the Southern Region, one to the East Coast, and two covering East Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak).
“We need experts like them to ensure no talent is overlooked. The grant will not go towards salaries but may cover allowances for those involved in ground operations.
The MCA’s special development committee, co-chaired by Dr Arun Kumar Beshamber Nath, Senathiraj Thevaratnam, and Ahmad Salman Othman, will oversee the programme. Both Iqbal and Jerome Fernandez will also serve as members, ensuring the initiative aligns with its objectives.
MCA is now awaiting the release of funds before commencing the groundwork for the programme.
The jersey handover event also marked a key moment for the national women’s Under-19 team as they represent Malaysia at the ongoing ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup. — January 19, 2025