Throwback EPLx dan Rembat Kosmo!

Selaku wartawan, aku diajar bukan saja membuat laporan permainan, bahkan analisis, komentar dan profil atlet. Menghimpun pengalaman sepanjang tugasan bersama Berita Harian dan The Malay Mail, aku berkongsi ilmu dengan pembaca EPLx Kosmo! yang kemudian dijenamakan semula sebagai Rembat Kosmo! Atas syor bekas wartawan New Straits Times dan setiausaha akhbar Tun Daim Zainuddin, Rashid Yusof, aku menjadi editor sisipan EPLx Kosmo pada 2009. Tamat setahun, kontrak aku dengan syarikat yang menaja sisipan tidak diperbaharui, tetapi Pengarang Kosmo, Baharom Mahusin (kini Datuk) mencadangkan sisipan itu diteruskan dengan nama lain, iaitu Rembat Kosmo! juga pada setiap Sabtu. Sisipan itu memberi ruang 60 peratus kepada bola sepak luar dan bakinya bola sepak tempatan.

Lakaran Hazli Ahmad Sanusi (hazliahmadsanusi@gmail,com)

Lakaran pasukan grafik Kosmo menjelang final Piala Malaysia 2010

Sorotan pemilihan kabinet FAM 2010-2014

Surat terbuka buat Rajagobal

S. KUNANLAN


S. Kunanlan
Tarikh lahir: 15 September, 1986
Asal: Semenyih, Selangor
Sekolah: SJK Ladang Semenyih, SMK Engku Hussin, Semenyih
Posisi: Tengah
Pencapaian: Mewakili pasukan Bawah 18 Selangor, skuad Piala Presiden Negeri Sembilan, juara Piala Malaysia 2009, juara Piala FA 2010, naib juara Piala Malaysia 2010.

Jantung Harimau Malaya

JIKA bekas bintang Selangor, K. Sanbagamaran, satu ketika dahulu berbasikal ke sekolahnya di Kajang sebagai latihan menguatkan paru-paru, S. Kunanlan memiliki ketahanan menyempurnakan larian jarak jauh.

Daripada perlumbaan 1,500m, 3,000m lari berhalangan, 5,000m hingga merentas desa, Kunanlan mencipta nama sebagai pakar lari jarak jauh di peringkat remaja. Bahkan dia pernah menduduki tangga keenam acara merentas desa perlumbaan di peringkat daerah Hulu Langat.

Hasilnya, lahirlah seorang pemain bola sepak berbakat yang memiliki kepantasan, kerajinan dan tidak kenal erti lelah.

“Saya main bola sejak kecil. Terpilih mewakili sekolah rendah SJK Ladang Semenyih selaku seorang pemain tengah, saya juga cukup meminati acara larian jarak jauh. Kalau acara merentas desa, saya sudah bertanding sejak umur 10 tahun.

“Kalau kategori Bawah 12 tahun, jaraknya 6km, Bawah 16 tahun 8km, Bawah 18 tahun 10km. Kami sekeluarga memang aktif dalam olahraga,” imbas Kunanlan yang kini antara tonggak tersenarai dalam minda Datuk K. Rajagobal.

Di sebalik ketrampilannya selaku pelari jarak jauh, bakat Kunanlan dalam bola sepak tidak terpendam begitu saja.

Atas dorongan gurunya, Kunanlan menjadikan kebolehan berlari itu sebagai aset. “Saya bermain di tengah, di penjuru dan pernah juga main stopper,” kata Kunanlan.

“Tapi pada satu hari, jurulatih Cikgu Zulkifli beri saya tugas sebagai pemain sayap.”

Cemerlang di peringkat sekolah dan seterusnya daerah, Kunanlan menjalani ujian pemilihan Bawah 15 Selangor.

“Saya gagal kerana dianggap terlalu kecil. Saiz jadi penghalang,” katanya.

Sekali lagi Kunanlan mencuba nasib dengan skuad Bawah 18 Selangor tetapi kurang bernasib baik. Lalu dia membawa diri ke Seremban untuk menyertai Liga Dunhill Menteri Besar.

“Hendak cuba masuk akademi, saya dah terlebih umur, jadi akhirnya saya terpilih menganggotai skuad Piala Presiden Negeri Sembilan.”

Jika ada pemain utama yang tercedera, Kunanlan dipanggil oleh jurulatih Negeri Sembilan ketika itu, Hatem Souissi.

Pintu buat Kunanlan terbuka apabila Wan Jamak Wan Hassan menggantikan Hatem. Itu antara tindakan paling awal Wan Jamak setibanya di Seremban.

“Saya masih ingat ketika menguruskan Telekom Melaka, kami ada berdepan dengan Negeri Sembilan yang memiliki seorang pemain sayap yang pantas dan tidak kenal penat. Jadi apabila tiba di Seremban, Kunanlanlah nama pertama yang saya cari,” kata Wan Jamak.

Dari situ, Kunanlan memikat perhatian B. Sathianathan yang memanggilnya untuk latihan pusat menjelang Pestabola Merdeka.

“Tapi saya kena gugur,” kata Kunanlan.

Nama Kunanlan sangkut selaku anggota skuad utama ke Sukan SEA Laos pada 2009 dan dia tidak menoleh ke belakang lagi.

Di sebalik kerajinan, kelajuan dan kepintaran menewaskan bek kanan lawan, hanya satu kelemahan Kunanlan - lemah di depan gol.

Apabila dihidangkan dengan peluang keemasan, biasanya Kunanlan kaget.

Sepanjang musim, Kunanlan hanya mencetak satu gol, ketika menentang T-Team. Disebabkan kekurangan dari segi menyudahkan peluang, sepakannya diselamatkan penjaga gol Singapura, Izwan Mahbud, seawal minit ke-10.

Apapun, anak Semenyih ini jantung Harimau Malaya.

K. Gurusamy Govandar
Tarikh lahir: 11 Januari,1989
Asal: Semenyih
Posisi: Tengah
Sekolah: SK Tamil Rinching, SMK Engku Hussin, Semenyih, Sekolah Sukan Bukit Jalil (SSBJ) Pencapaian: Pingat emas Sukan SEA 2009, juara Piala AFF 2010.


K. GURUSAMY


Guru yang mendahului zaman

K. Gurusamy Govandar sudah biasa melampaui zamannya. Seawal usia 9 tahun, dia sudah dipanggil mewakili pasukan Bawah 12 tahun sekolahnya, sebelum bakatnya diketengahkan di peringkat Majlis Sukan Sekolah-sekolah Malaysia (MSSM).

Ketika rakan-rakannya di SRJ Tamil Bandar Rinching, Semenyih, sibuk mentelaah pelajaran dan menghafal sifir, Gurusamy menghafal arahan jurulatih.

Pada usia 10 tahun, dia sudah menyarung jersi sekolah dan daerah. Sebagaimana “senior”nya di Semenyih, S. Kunanlan, yang aktif dalam acara merentas desa, Gurusamy juga gemar mengeluarkan peluh dan menguji kekuatan paru-parunya menerusi larian itu.

“Mungkin dari situ saya dapat tenaga berlebihan untuk bermain bola sepak tanpa mengenal penat,” kata Gurusamy, ditanya mengenai keupayaannya menjana jentera tengah sama ada untuk skuad Olimpik mahupun pasukan kebangsaan.

Disebabkan keinginan bermain bola sepak, Gurusamy banyak menghabiskan waktu lapangnya di padang di depan rumahnya di Taman Manickavasagam.

“Saya dan kawan-kawan gemar bermain bola dan buat perlawanan persahabatan dengan pasukan dari taman lain, biasanya pada setiap Sabtu. Kadang-kadang sanggup saya tak pergi sekolah tapi asyik main bola, dari pagi hingga petang,” katanya.

Di kalangan keluarganya yang besar, Gurusamy tidak berseorangan meminati sukan kegilaan ramai itu. Abangnya Mogan pernah beraksi dalam Piala Milo, Depan Sakti pula menyarung jersi Selangor musim ini, manakala adiknya Visunathan bersama Shahzan Muda.

“Kami bukan saja aktif dalam bola sepak, tetapi juga olahraga. Saya mewakili Hulu Langat dalam merentas desa,” katanya.

Lebih terkenal sebagai pemain tengah bertahan yang ditugaskan memperkasakan benteng pertahanan, Gurusamy yang mewakili Selangor sejak dari peringkat Bawah 12 tahun, pernah menjalani ujian pemilihan bersama akademi Negeri Sembilan tetapi tidak diterima masuk.

Bagaimanapun Gurusamy akhirnya diserapkan ke dalam program elit di Sekolah Sukan Bukit Jalil (SSBJ) pada 2005, lalu terus terpilih ke dalam skuad Bawah 20 Rajagobal ke Piala Lion di Singapura.

“Saya pun terkejut kerana pada usia 16 tahun, biasanya kena masuk pasukan Bawah 17 tahun dulu. Setahun kemudian saya terpilih menganggotai skuad Bawah 20 ke pusingan akhir Kejohanan Asia di India,” katanya.

Skuad muda pada 2006 itu membentuk teras barisan kepercayaan Rajagobal hari ini. Antaranya Aidil Zafuan Abdul Radzak, Amar Rohidan, Asraruddin Putra Omar, Safiq Rahim dan Khyril Muhymeen Zambri yang menjadi sebahagian daripada kejayaan Sukan SEA Laos 2009 dan Piala AFF 2010.

Meminati gaya permainan bintang Liverpool, Steven Gerrard dan tonggak Barcelona, Xavi, Gurusamy harus menjadi nadi penting dalam perancangan Ong Kim Swee untuk perhitungan pra-Olimpik serta Sukan SEA kelak.

“Saya berharap dapat membantu pasukan negara mengekalkan pingat emas yang dimenangi di Laos,” katanya. Di sebalik kesibukan mengawal pertahanan, Gurusamy juga pandai mencium peluang menggegar jaring lawan.

Jaringannya hasil lambungan jarak jauh ketika menentang Syria masih kekal dalam ingatannya, selain ledakan menentang Arab Saudi. Gurusamy juga tidak menghiraukan kritikan berikutan kegagalan pasukan negara mara ke pusingan ketiga pra-Piala Dunia zon Asia.

“Kami kena tebus di Sukan SEA dan pra-Olimpik,” katanya ringkas.


WAN ZACK HAIKAL WAN NOR

Melupakan raket demi sepatu bola

KERANA hujung sepatu bolanya, nama Wan Zack Haikal Wan Nor meniti di bibir peminat.

Meluru menyambut lorongan tepat Gary Steven Robbat dalam petak penalti, Wan Zack menjolok bola ke gawang melepasi terpaan penjaga gol Lebanon, Mohd Dakramanji, baru-baru ini, bagi menjamin tempat anak didik Ong Kim Swee di kalangan 12 pasukan terbaik Asia yang merebut tempat ke Sukan Olimpik tahun depan.

Peminat menyamakan senario gol itu, yang disempurnakan pada minit ke-42, dengan kaedah lazim Barcelona menggegar jaring lawan - hasil penyudah penyerang berikutan lorongan tajam dan tepat daripada pemain tengah.

“Sebenarnya ia hasil kerjasama sepasukan. Bagi saya hendak menyamakan gol itu seperti mana yang biasa dibuat Barcelona terlalu tinggi. Saya dan rakan-rakan tidak boleh terlalu berbangga kerana misi belum selesai. Apapun saya gembira menyumbang tenaga bagi menghidupkan impian Olimpik negara,” kata pemain berasal dari Maran, Pahang itu.

Bermula sebagai penyerang di Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan Maran, Wan Zack dikurniai kepantasan semula jadi yang menyeksa lawan.

Disebabkan ketangkasannya, pemain berusia 20 tahun itu aktif dalam olahraga dan badminton ketika di bangku sekolah.

“Saya mewakili sekolah dalam acara pecut 100m dan 200m, bahkan pernah mewakili zon. Saya juga giat dalam badminton. Apabila guru mempelawa murid untuk menjalani ujian pemilihan, saya pergi.

“Akhirnya saya muncul juara perseorangan daerah Maran dan mara sehingga ke suku akhir peringkat negeri Pahang,” katanya mengimbas kenangan manis ketika remaja.

Apabila terpaksa memilih di antara badminton dan bola sepak, anak bongsu daripada sembilan beradik itu tidak perlu berfikir dua kali.

“Minat saya hanya satu - bola sepak,” katanya.

Terpilih mewakili pasukan sekolah-sekolah Bawah 12 tahun Malaysia ke Saitama, Jepun, pada 2003 sesudah menonjol bersama skuad Pahang yang bertanding dalam kejohanan Majlis Sukan Sekolah-sekolah Malaysia (MSSM) berbentuk karnival di FAM, Wan Zack tidak menoleh ke belakang.

Senarai penyertaannya dalam bidang sukan memudahkan Wan Zack menyertai SMK Kuala Lanar, Kuala Lipis, sekolah yang dianggap akademi sukan negeri.

Sejajar dasar Sekolah Sukan Bukit Jalil (SSBJ) yang membuka pintu kepada pelajar Tingkatan Empat, Wan Zack dipelawa menjalani ujian pemilihan di bawah kendalian Aminuddin Hussein dan Ahmad Fairuz Yunus.

Mengutip pengalaman bersama pasukan Bawah 16 tahun yang dikendalikan Robert Alberts dan Kim Swee di Hertfordshire dan Slovakia, Wan Zack cuba mencuri tempat dalam Harimau Muda di bawah K. Rajagobal pada 2008.

Namun dia digugurkan. Ini memaksa Wan Zack mengasah bakat bersama Felda United yang ketika itu dibimbing Reduan Abdullah, disusuli E. Elavarasan.

Apabila Kim Swee dilantik mengurus Harimau Muda B dengan Harimau Muda A dikendali Azraai Khor Abdullah selepas Rajagobal diangkat menjaga pasukan senior kebangsaan, Wan Zack kembali diberi perhatian.

Kini Wan Zack bersaing dengan Wan Zaharulnizam Wan Zakaria untuk mendapat kepercayaan Kim Swee bagi mengisi posisi sayap kanan. Dalam arena bola sepak tempatan, Wan Zack bukan berseorangan dalam membawa nama arwah bapanya Wan Nor Wan Ahmad yang meninggal dunia dua tahun lalu.

Abangnya, Wan Azwari, beraksi selaku pemain pertahanan dengan Johor.

“Setakat ini, kami hanya pernah bertembung sekali, dalam perlawanan persahabatan,” kata Wan Zack yang gemar bermain snuker di masa lapangnya.

Biodata
Wan Zack Haikal Wan Nor
Tarikh lahir: 28 Januari, 1991
Asal: Maran, Pahang
Posisi: Sayap kanan
Sekolah: SRK Maran, SMK Kuala Lanar, Kuala Lipis, Sekolah Sukan Bukit Jalil (SSBJ)
Pasukan: Felda United, Harimau Muda B, Harimau Muda A
Hobi: Bermain snuker, permainan konsol
Masakan kegemaran: Ikan patin masak tempoyak


MAHALLI JASULI

 TERUJA KONGSI BILIK DENGAN AMRI

 APABILA seawal usia tiga tahun didedahkan kepada bola sepak, tidak hairanlah sukan itu dijadikan kerjaya oleh Mahalli Jasuli.

“Sejak saya di tadika lagi saya dibawa bapa (Jasuli Sarafi) ke Stadium Merdeka untuk menyaksikan Selangor atau Kuala Lumpur beraksi,” kata Mahalli mengimbas detik-detik awal berjinak dengan bola sepak.

“Selangor ketika itu ada Malek Rahman dan Azman Adnan. Kuala Lumpur ada Liew Kim Tu.”

 Mencapai usia 12 tahun, Mahalli, anak sulung daripada tiga beradik yang berasal dari Selayang Baru, sudahpun menyarung jersi Selangor.

Sambil bermain, Mahalli tetap berkunjung ke stadium untuk mencari sumber inspirasi.

“Idola saya Amri Yahyah. Saya pun minat jersi bernombor 17 kerana Amri,” dedah Mahalli.

“Saya tidak dapat gambarkan perasaan saya apabila terpilih mewakili negara, beraksi pula di sisi Amri. Bukan itu saja, saya juga ditempatkan sebilik dengan Amri, tidak kira sama ada untuk tugasan dalam negeri atau luar negara. Jadi saya selalu ambil kesempatan bertanya kepada Amri bagaimana untuk memperbaiki kelemahan.”

Mahalli kini bek kanan tetap buat pasukan negara sekalipun tidak demikian keadaannya ketika anak buah K. Rajagobal memulakan kempen Piala Suzuki AFF di Jakarta tahun lalu. Jika diikutkan dari segi usia dan pengalaman, Mahalli di tempat ketiga di belakang Razman Roslan dan Sabre Mat Abu.

Namun prestasi Razman ketika tewas 5-1 kepada Indonesia pada perlawanan pembukaan kurang meyakinkan.

Mahalli diberi peluang pada pertemuan dengan Thailand yang berkesudahan 0-0, lantas dia tidak menoleh ke belakang.

Sambil sibuk menjalankan tugas mengekang pemain sayap kiri lawan, Mahalli gemar menyusup ke kubu lawan.

Dalam keghairahannya menyerang, sepakannya terbias ke gawang Laos ketika Malaysia menang 5-1.

Pada final pusingan pertama di Stadium Nasional, Bukit Jalil, Mahalli melambungkan bola tepat ke kepala Safee Sali yang menanduk jaringan kedua peribadinya untuk menjadikan kedudukan selesa pasukan negara mendahului Indonesia 3-0.

“Saya ingat saingan Piala Suzuki bukan saja kerana kita menang tetapi juga kerana saya tidak beraksi pada perlawanan pertama dan terakhir,” katanya yang digantung secara automatik akibat menerima kad kuning kedua pada final pertama di Bukit Jalil.

Sumbangan Mahalli sedikit sebanyak menebus “dosanya” sesudah dibuang padang oleh pengadil Australia, Ben Williams, ketika Malaysia tewas kepada China pada Sukan Asia di Guangzhou, November lalu.

“Itu kad merah pertama dalam kerjaya saya. Saya harap ia juga yang terakhir,” kata Mahalli mengenang detik tendangannya ke luar padang yang mendorong Williams melayangkan kad kuning kedua kepada pemain itu. Seterusnya Safiq Rahim dibuang padang kerana protes berlebihan.

Setelah mewakili SK Selayang Baru dan seterusnya Selangor untuk pertandingan Bawah 12 tahun Majlis Sukan Sekolah-sekolah Malaysia (MSSM), Mahalli yang meminati bintang Liverpool, menggilap bakatnya di Sekolah Projek di Shah Alam sebelum terpilih menyertai program elit Sekolah Sukan Bukit Jalil (SSBJ) kendalian Aminuddin Hussein dan Ahmad Fairuz Yunus.

“Dari tingkatan satu ke tingkatan tiga, saya beraksi di penjuru. Di Bukit Jalil, saya banyak beraksi selaku pemain tengah.”

Mahalli kemudian terpilih menganggotai skuad Bawah 19 Selangor selaku penyerang.

“Saya ada juga jaringkan tujuh gol dan agaknya sebab itu saya dapat peluang sertai skuad kebangsaan Bawah 19 tahun kendalian K. Rajagobal dalam Liga Perdana.”

Mahasiswa dalam jurusan Pembangunan Manusia di Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Serdang, Mahalli kini antara yang tertulis selaku tonggak skuad pra-Olimpik bimbingan Ong Kim Swee. Akan tiba masanya Mahalli pula menjadi idola.

Mahalli Jasuli

Tarikh lahir: 2 April, 1989
Asal: Selayang Baru
Pasukan: Harimau Muda A
Pencapaian: Pingat emas Sukan SEA Laos 2009, juara Piala Suzuki AFF di Jakarta 2010.


HELMI REMELI

Dari Kedawang ke Kuala Terengganu

MEMBANCUH simen, menyusun botol minyak gamat, mengail ikan, berniaga laksa dan menjaga lori keluar masuk dari lokasi pembinaan - antara kerja-kerja yang pernah dilakukan Helmi Remeli sebelum takdir menentukan rezekinya hadir dalam bola sepak.

Memori kais pagi, makan pagi itu belum terpadam daripada kotak pemikiran bek kanan Terengganu itu.

Bahkan ia menyedarkan Helmi, anak kelahiran Kedawang, Pulau Langkawi, agar tidak lupa asal-usulnya sekalipun sudah meniti kejayaan. Dalam tempoh seminggu bulan lalu, Helmi mengecap nikmat berganda.

Pada 4 Jun, dia menyarung jersi kebangsaan buat julung kali menentang Hong Kong. Genap seminggu kemudian, dia membantu Terengganu menjulang Piala FA, membenam Kelantan 2-1 di Stadium Nasional, Bukit Jalil.

“Alhamdulillah, saya amat bersyukur, terharu dan bangga atas pengalaman itu. Detik manis bermain untuk negara disusuli kejayaan memenangi Piala FA,” kata Helmi mengulas minggu yang cukup manis itu.

“Ia mengubat kecewa saya yang tidak bermain selama lebih enam bulan musim lalu akibat kecederaan lutut.”

Keputusan Datuk K. Rajagobal membuka pintu kepada Helmi pada usia 26 tahun cukup dihargai bek kanan yang pernah menyarung jersi Kuala Muda Naza itu.

“Saya tidak sangka terpilih mewakili negara pada usia ini. Ketika dimaklumkan akan bermain melawan Hong Kong, saya cemas. Begitu juga pengalaman bermain depan stadium yang dipenuhi penonton pada final Piala FA. Tapi bila sudah bermain, tekanan itu mula dilupakan,” katanya.

Sekalipun bola sepak menjulang nama Helmi, dia sebenarnya mewakili daerah Langkawi dalam ping pong ketika zaman persekolahannya.

“Saya bermain bola sejak bersekolah di SK Kedawang tetapi lebih cenderung bermain ping pong hingga mewakili Langkawi dalam kejohanan empat penjuru dan Piala Menteri Besar.”

Selepas menamatkan pengajian di SMK Kedawang, Helmi memutuskan menolak tawaran ke Tingkatan Enam, sebaliknya berazam mencari pekerjaan tetap.

“Sambil itu, saya membantu bapa dalam kerja pembinaan, membancuh simen dan bertukang. Ibu pula berniaga laksa. Kemudian saya mendapat kerja di sebuah hotel sebagai beach boy dengan gaji RM300 sebulan. Tidak sampai setahun, saya mendapat kerja di kilang minyak gamat.”

Hala tuju hidupnya berubah pada 2004 apabila seorang jurulatih mencadangkan Helmi menyertai sekumpulan pemain dari Langkawi untuk menjalani ujian pemilihan skuad Piala Emas Raja-raja Kedah.

“Saya terpilih bermain sebagai pemain tengah,” katanya.

Dari situ, bekas jurulatih kebangsaan, Ahmad Shafie, mempelawa Helmi menyertai Kuala Muda Naza.

“Saya timba pengalaman selama tiga musim, beraksi di bawah tiga jurulatih. Saya didedahkan bermain semua posisi, bahkan pernah menjadi back-up striker buat Akmal Rizal Rakhli.”

Apabila Irfan Bakti Abu Salim menelefonnya mengajaknya berhijrah ke Terengganu pada hujung 2009, Helmi sedang menimbang tawaran sebuah pasukan di utara.

Mujur buat Helmi, keputusannya ke Pantai Timur melapangkan rezekinya.

Helmi Remeli
Tarikh lahir: 24 Mac, 1985
Asal: Kedawang, Langkawi
Pasukan: Terengganu, Kuala Muda Naza
Posisi: Bek kanan
Pencapaian: Juara Piala FA 2011

Terima kasih Kosmo

Terima kasih Kosmo menemu ramah Zainal Abidin Rawop, Sharon Wee, Burn dan aku - empat individu dengan latar belakang yang berlainan tetapi kini boleh dikatakan sebumbung.

Pautannya baca di sini

My proposals in restructuring FAM and football in 1999

In August 24, 1999, I wrote a preview ahead of the youth development workshop conducted by the National Sports Council (NSC), expecting changes to be implemented...

THE youth development workshop at the National Sports Council (NSC) today is set to moot the idea of a complete restructuring in the FA of Malaysia (FAM).

The proposals, assuming they be implemented, will not exactly launch Malaysian soccer into orbit but at least, we would have a solid base to identify the best young players from.

* FAM must be independent of the State FAs
The FAM council are the highest authority in Malaysian soccer. They are the policy-makers. Most of them are representatives of the State FAs who do not give two hoots about development. And they too have been relying on FAM for grants rather than sourcing their own income.

Conclusion - Amend the FAM constitution to enable the national body to shift focus towards developing the sport. FAM must be run by technical people and corporate figures with the principal office-bearers as figureheads.

* A new league structure run by a separate entity.
The time is ripe for a separate entity to run the M-League, similar to the J-League in Japan. The J-League, introduced in 1993, requires each club to set down deep roots throughout its home community, with the corporate sponsors providing crucial back-up with their administrative skills. The J-League's board of directors and auditors are elected by the general meeting. The executive committee consists of the chairman, directors with specific responsibilities and one representative selected from each club. The board of directors is the J-League's highest authority in deciding the aims and policies of the league. The executive committee puts those aims and policies into effect as well as deliberating and deciding on matters entrusted to it by the board of directors. And not everybody can play in the J-League because there are five conditions to be met - Incorporation, players and coaching licences, team structure with emphasis on junior teams, stadia facilities and contributions to home community. Incorporation means each club must be a registered corporation specialising in football. This is to ensure that each club provides a secure management base which serves as an effective vehicle for players, coaches and other club officials.

Conclusion - it's worth a try. But are we bold enough? And can we see a league without the likes of Terengganu, Kelantan or Melaka?

* Players' education
If the two proposals are implemented, then FAM can emulate the Japan FA (JFA) by drawing up a complete coaching system designed to produce creative players. Of utmost importance is football education for players from the age of eight - the dos and don'ts as well as the motivational, technical and tactical aspects of the beautiful game.

Conclusion - We are different from the Japanese but why should that be a hindrance? Malaysia used to whip Japan in the 70s and 80s until they decided to commit themselves to soccer while Malaysia have been irresponsible in letting the youth development in our game drop in standard.

* Coaches' education
FAM director of coaching Ron Smith has recently pointed out a fact - how youth coaches tend to emphasise on results rather than education. Most coaches, Smith said, want results even at school level which in turn puts fear and pressure to the young players. In Japan, JFA have devised a modern training module which is updated regularly, to be implemented at all levels. Therefore all coaches, from the schools right up to the J-League, adopt the same methods and principles of soccer. JFA have also introduced a coaching licence - more of a certificate on how to organise games for the young - called the Boys and Girls licence. The emphasis is to enjoy the game. Only from the ages of 15 that the players are taught the basic tactical movements.

Conclusion - We have nothing to lose but everything to gain if we adopt the same attitude.

The visit to Japan, June 1999

This piece appeared on The Malay Mail on June 30, 1999. And my, things are slow moving la in Malaysia...

It was in Japan that I renewed my friendship with Dell. We were not on speaking terms for almost three years...well in order to break the ice, he gave me a slap! hahahaha

THE Japan FA yesterday shared their recipe for success with Malaysia - a combination of hard work, high-quality coaches at grassroots level and a sound development programme which offers a schoolboy up to 600 competitive matches by the time he finishes high school.

The six-man FAM delegate were given a low-down on how the rising sons of Asia have evolved into a footballing force after launching their youth development system in 1980.

FAM assistant secretary Yap Nyim Keong, head of academies Datuk Paduka Ahmad Basri Akil, director-general of education Datuk Shukor Abdullah and FAM director of coaching Ronald Smith, FAM council member Dell Akbar Khan and national Under-19 coach B. Sathianathan were briefed by three JFA personnel.

The three are JFA director of coaching Kohzo Tashima, head coach of the regional development JFA youth system, Tetsuaki Tsukuda and chief staff of planning department at J-League Takehiko Sano. The study group also took the opportunity to visit the Japan organising committee for the 2002 World Cup Korea-Japan (JAWOC). They were hosted by JAWOC deputy general secretary Hiroshi Ushijima.

These are the steps taken by JFA to improve their standards.

* They send coaches to Europe for 10 days or two weeks to training camps for training centre coaches. For example, they will spend several days in Holland, France, Germany and England to update their knowledge;

* There is no youth league but the schools play among themselves in a very competitive environment via several tournaments lined up for them throughout the year;

* Altogether, there are nine regional training centres and 47 prefecture training centres and district training centres all over Japan.

* In many prefectures and districts they already have one group of about 30 players in each age group for Under-12 right up to Under-18;

* The aim of the training centre system which began in 1980 were:

 i) to identify the most talented players in the country in each age group and to mould them into creative players;
ii) to practise the consistent, systematic coaching based on the coaching guide which is used by all football coaches in Japan (from professionals right up to school teachers;
iii) to raise the standard and the ability of the coaches and to introduce and to spread information to each region;

* There are three age categories - Under-17, Under-14 and Under-12 and there are four categories of training from district training centre which is held several times a month and followed by approximately once a month at the 47 prefecture training centres and several times a year at the nine regional training centres culminating with five days a year at the national training centre in Shizuoka.

* They choose the 16 best players from each region from all categories. So there are 144 players from each age category.

* The Japan school system are made up of three levels - primary (age six-12), junior high school (13-15) and high school (16-18). The players in each category play up to 80-100 matches a year and by the time they leave school they will have played 600 matches.

WHAT THEY OBSERVED

RONALD SMITH (FAM director of coaching)

I gained some accurate information on developments behind the scene from the people who matter most - the coaches at grassroots level. (Tetsuaki) Tsukuda is not only a member of the JFA technical comittee but also the head coach of the nine regions under the JFA youth system. Interestingly, (Kohzo) Tashima, who is the JFA director of coaching, coaches the national Under-15 side as well. I wouldn't know of such arrangements if I hadn't come here. This, inevitably, gives them the credibility as they get to practise what they preach. They are well-informed young coaches who are up-to-date in their knowledge of modern soccer. Not someone out of touch who keeps harping on what they did 10 years ago. Tashima and Tsukuda are doing two jobs at the same time. Not only are they involved in coaching youngsters, they are also heavily involved in producing a new generation of high-quality coaches. These young coaches participate actively in developing football by giving input to the JFA coaching structure. We found out just how much schoolboys in Japan play football. Tsukuda told us most schoolboys in Japan play up to a 100 matches a year, most of us were startled by the figure. But this reinforces in my mind what needs to be done to find a way to enable our youngsters to play soccer competitively for a longer period. Once the system is in place, the next step is to identify talent. People might say playing 100 games could be detrimental to a schoolboy's overall progress but just take a look at the current Japanese Olympic side. They are the flagship of the system. It's a matter of either you overdo it or you give them just enough matches to improve. But in our case, we should push the players to play as many matches as possible.

DATUK AHMAD BASRI AKIL (FAM head of academies)

WHAT we gathered was that we need cooperation from all quarters. We need the large participation of the public, the parents, the teachers, coaches, schools, institutes of higher learning and the relevant authorities. Secondly, we must put our heart and soul into implementing the policies. JFA even have a mission statement to push everybody towards the same direction to set long-term targets. They are already talking beyond the 2002 World Cup. To me, the study tour is not a waste of time. We used to beat Japan in the 70s when we were more concerned with the threat posed by South Korea. Now Japan have attained a certain measure of success. So we need to find out for ourselves the reason for the recipe behind the success. And despite the success, Japan face difficulties in financing the development projects. In that sense, we are luckier as Malaysia have the financial muscle and the resources. The issue here is whether we can go ahead with the implementation on a full scale.

DATUK SHUKOR ABDULLAH (Director general of education)

Ron Smith (left) and the late Dr Shukor (second from left) and Ahmad Basri (right)...in the background behind the lady is Zainal Abidin Rawop

WE will definitely look into organising more competitive matches among schoolboys. Frankly, I believe interest in soccer among today's generation has dwindled resulting in a smaller base of players at school level. We are extending the annual Malaysian School Sports Council (MSSM) calendar to allow the players to play competitive soccer for a longer period. For example, Fourth Formers can play several short tournaments in August. Last year, we launched a championship among premier schools. Next year, we are coming up with an inter-school league to create wider interest in soccer. This competitive environment will definitely improve our standard. At the moment, we are also contemplating having one officer at the education district office to coordinate all soccer activities at district level.

DELL AKBAR KHAN (FAM council member)

THE fact that the J-League imposed certain conditions for aspiring clubs to become members indirectly force them to put greater emphasis on youth development. For example, a J-League team structure must consist of a first team, a reserve team, a young team (Under-18), a junior youth team (Under-16) and a Under-12 side. So these teams must operate under a unified system for fostering players in order to produce as many calibre players as possible. We bemoan the lack of facilities but I believe one way to compensate for the lack of football fields in KL is by letting two or three schools share one pitch.

Of course the trip was an eye-opener for me...

Interviewing Troussier, 16 years ago

Interviewing Philippe Troussier in Hong Kong in mid-1999 was memorable for a lot of reasons. His answers reflected his philosophy in football.

With Hatem Souissi, Zainul Azhar Ash'ari of Utusan Malaysia, Troussier and Hazli Hussaini of Harian Metro. The pre-Facebook, twitter days....a time when journalists wrote out of passion, not for fame

WIDELY-TRAVELLED Frenchman Phillippe Troussier, now charting the fortunes of Japan soccer, has often been described as aloof and a figure the media love to hate. In an exclusive interview with Troussier in Hong Kong during the Olympic qualifiers first leg last week, Mailsports' Rizal Hashim gained an insight into his personality.

Sunday Mail: How are you adapting to life in Japan?
Troussier: I spent an eventful decade in Africa. Now after ten months in Japan, I can sense a different kind of challenge. My 10 years in Africa was a great human experience which is certainly useful to help me adapt to a different culture, food and environment. Now I feel very much at home in Japan. But what excites me is the fact Japan soccer is on the rise and we have the 2002 World Cup to look forward to. I have a great group of executive officers in Japan FA (JFA) to facilitate my job, the working atmosphere is wonderful and it is an honour to be part of the team. I have a large and interesting group of players to work with, which makes things a little bit easier on the pitch.

SM: How do you explain the negative reports on your relationship with JFA?
T: I believe most of it is an exaggeration. But I'm very forthright in my approach. There are things that need to be changed in order to move forward. I let my feelings known to JFA and there have been both negative and positive reactions to them.

SM: Have you mastered the Japanese language?
T: No, I have no intention to master the language. But I learn the language for my casual life. I want to communicate with the waiters in the restaurant, hail a taxi or share a joke or two with my players outside our working hours. On a professional level, I need a translator simply because it is important to avoid any confusion. I don't want my bad Japanese to create chaos. The presence of an interpreter is important to convey exactly what I want. Anyway Japanese is a difficult language to master. But it does not pose any problems for me. Football is universal. In the end what matters is the performance of the team on the football field.

SM: How is your relationship with the Japanese media?
T: I think I have a love hate relationship with the media, even during my days in Africa. But throughout this Hong Kong mission, I've banned the players from reading the newspapers. I've requested my staff in Tokyo to collect all the newspapers and magazines and let the players read all the reports upon their return from Hong Kong. I want the boys to focus on this mission where they have to play eight matches in 20 days. I want them to have enough recuperation period and a relaxed atmosphere without the added pressure from the media. In Japan, I cannot share something with the journalists. Unlike in France where I can share my views with certain journalists off the record, in Japan it's almost impossible. Sometimes journalists have to understand the job and the views of a coach. You have to respect the coach's professional approach. There are things which you cannot publish when told in confidence. In Nigeria, the media gave the impression that I was a difficult person to work with. I was called too strict, authoritarian, cannot communicate properly and short tempered all the time. Sometimes it's better to keep a distance between the media and the coach. I don't have problems dealing with the press. In fact I believe I give them something different to write. I think the press need somebody different to project an image for their commercial purposes. Sometimes when I feel like keeping quiet, people ask me, `What's wrong with you Monsieur Troussier, are you sick?' Personally, I treat the media as part of my staff, not to make enemies with.

SM: Your Olympic team appear to attract attention from a large section of the Japanese media.
T: It's good that (Hidetoshi) Nakata is not with the team. Otherwise there would be another 200 journalists accompanying him which would instantly add more pressure to the side. It would have been nice to have Nakata with us, especially since this team do not know Nakata personally and they have never played together with him. It's good to show the players that Nakata is also a mere mortal. Here he is, he's just like you, with two feet and two hands. Already we have 200 journalists following the team to Hong Kong and we certainly do not need another 200 to scrutinise every movement of the players.

SM: Why was Nakata excluded from your Olympic plans?
T: There are many reasons for that. First he has reached a different plane. He is a world class player, having acquitted himself well in Serie A. But I'm under pressure from the Fifa rules which stipulate that clubs can release their players only 48 hours before the international match. But I'm very happy with my group and I believe we can survive the first round or even the second round without Nakata. But I would dearly love to have his services if we qualify for Sydney.

SM: What is the greatest challenge you face in Japan?
T: Although Japan are already considered a powerhouse in Asia, we are nowhere near the top. We must play outside the continent in order to progress. This applies to all the teams in Asia. I'm not sure J-league experience is enough for international matches. We have reached a certain level but it is far from what I want. My mission is for all our national teams to be exposed to matches outside the continent. We have played Korea and China countless times. To move forward, we have to play stronger oppositions all the time. Spending a week in Africa, Europe and Latin America is much better than spending four weeks in Japan. That is why we should have a uniformed schedule. But the domestic fixtures do not correspond with the international calendar. I plan to play the nations from the top 15 bracket like Scotland, Denmark and Norway more often to give the players confidence. Playing the top five is too difficult at this moment. But we have shown progress, as illustrated by our successful outing in the Youth World Cup in Nigeria. I believe majority of the players like (Shinji) Ono, (Masashi) Motoyama, (Junichi) Inamoto and (Tomoyuki) Sakai will play important roles in the near future and could well feature in the 2002 World Cup.

 * Troussier is 44 years old and had previously coached Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and South Africa before taking up the Japanese offer on the advice of former Nagoya Grampus Eight coach Arsene Wenger. His contract with JFA ends in June 2000 but if Japan qualify for the Asian Cup, it is automatically extended until after the tournament.