League to unearth new talents

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THE Football Association of Selangor (FAS) will scout for new talents during the Milo-Under-21 football league kicking off on Nov 7.

FAS council member Datuk K. Sivabalaan said the league would be an excellent opportunity to select players to represent Selangor in the Reserve League organised by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM).

“We will ask our coaches to make their rounds during the league. There is an abundance of young talents in the state. Impressive players will get a chance to attend trials with the Selangor squad,’’ said Sivabalaan after the launching of the league in Kelana Jaya recently.

The league, offering the Datuk Mohd Salleh Ahmad challenge trophy, is organised by the Nilam Puri Football Club with support from Chui Lok Club, Horizon Club, Crown Club and Victoria Club and is sanctioned by the FAS.

Mohd Salleh, a former FAS vice-president and general secretary, said the organisers should be commended for intitating the league.

Common mission: Mohd Salleh (centre) with representatives from the sponsors and organising committee.

“We have to nurture young players to face the tough challenges in the M-League. The league will provide the players every opportunity to gain exposure. Unless and until we have a big pool of talented players, it will be an uphill task for Malaysia to make an impact in international competitions.

“I hope the FAS will instruct their coaches to scout for talented youngsters during the league. As a former FAS official, I am keen to see Selangor maintain their supremacy in the M-League,’’ said Mohd Salleh.

The league, for players born in 1988 and after, will have a maximum of 28 teams divided into four groups. After the preliminary rounds, the top two teams from each group will qualify for the quarter-finals. The organisers will give first preference to registered clubs in the Klang Valley. The sponsors for the league are Milo, Figos and Peritrans

The champions will receive RM3,000 as well as prizes from Milo and Figos, the runners-up RM2,000 while the losing semi-finalists will get RM1,000 each. There will be individual awards for the best striker, best midfielder, best defender, best goalkeeper, man of the match (final) and best team manager.