Khairy : Private sector and sports club involvement in national football development vital

Youth and Sports Ministry hopes more private entities and sports clubs will adopt football as their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme to enhance talent among local youths.

Its minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the contribution of private companies was important, in line with the government's efforts to ensure that the national football development would not be stunted.

"I look at football development among youths very seriously. I want to strengthen the current youth football development. I've made some changes on the national football development policies programme.

"One of the changes was appointing former national player, Lim Teong Kim as a National Football Development Programme director. He will focus on the development starting as early as seven years to 17 years," he said.

Khairy said that after launching the 13th Royal Selangor Club (RSC)-Tiger International Football 7s and 11th RSC Milo U-12 International 7s Tournament at the RSC Bukit Kiara, here, today.

He said the cooperation between the ministry and the Education Ministry would strengthen efforts to ensure talented youths will be given attention during training programmes.

"The principal of the programme will be an open system to attract as many young Malaysians as possible," he said.

Khairy on Wednesday appointed Teong Kim, the former assistant coach of German division one club champion Bayern Munchen FC, as the new director of the National Football Development Project, effective November.