U-13 squad's success opens new chapter in Malaysian football - Tengku Abdullah

The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) President Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah hopes the National Under-13 squad's historic success in winning the Iber Cup Costa Del Sol 2015 will open a new chapter in the development of Malaysian football.

Tengku Abdullah said winning the prestigious youth tournament held in Spain should serve as an example for football development in the states.

Coached by former football player Lim Teong Kim, the Malaysian U-13 squad beat Sporting Lisbon 2-1 last Saturday to emerge victorious.

"I hope such development programmes can continue so that we can produce talented young players. State football associations can follow the development programmes adopted by the National Football Development Programme (NFDP) for the long term," Tengku Abdullah told reporters visiting the Raub UiTM branch.

He said though the FAM does not have a strong financial standing the governing body for football in the country would continue to monitor the development of football in the country, especially at the youth level.

The NFDP was set up in 2014, thanks to the vision of Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.