Premier Football Academy

Premier Football Academy: Fullfilling Social Obligations

Various factors has been attributed to the drastic decline in the standard of Malaysian football scene

Despite having to face the brunt of public discontentment, the academy's management appears confident that improvements in the quality of play will be forthcoming

FOOTBALL CLINIC

Formed in 2008, the academy had started out as a football clinic for students of Sek Keb Desa Pandan

The setting up of the football clinic had generated a lot of interest among members of the public. "We received numerous inquiries on the matter from members of the public, so we decided that it would be best to open the clinic to anyone who is serious in wanting to improve his footballing skills

Interestingly, the age of those who have enrolled with the academy ranged from as young as five years old to 16

The academy hopes to be able to raise the quality of local football to be on par with that in the 70s, the halcyon days of local football, players like the late Mokhtar Dahari and Zainal Abidin Hassan for example, had created Malaysian football history

The Malaysian football greats of the 70s served as the source of inspiration for the trainees at the academy, each of whom aspires to eventually develop a formidable reputation of their own, as a football star

MISSION AND VISION

Currently the academy's management is strategising an effective basic training programme

The academy was established with a view of becoming the centre of football excellence in Malaysia. By developing a training programme that is consistent an effective, we are confident that this can be achieved

The strategy involves designing a comprehensive training programme that incorporates technical skills training on the field, friendly matches, developing an effective academic syllabus in the field of sports sciences like injury prevention and diet, apart from organising motivational workshops

The syllabus for both the theory and practical aspects are constantly being reviewed and updated to meet international standards as stipulated by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM). Since the academy does not have a hostel to house its trainees whereby it could then constantly monitor their performance, it has roped in the parents to monitor their son's conduct at home

With the services of a highly experienced football coach, who was once a reputable player himself, the academy is able to tailor an all-rounded development programme suitable for football players from various age groups

SOCIAL OBLIGATION

The effort to uplift the quality of local football is deemed a social obligation that has been entrusted upon the academy's management

We may not be international football stars ourselves but our trainees will have the benefit of whatever knowledge and experience that we have garnered throughout our years of involvement in the sport

The academy charges a trainee RM60 monthly, which is a pittance really, when compared with the facilities that are at their disposal

Our fees are so low that we can never hope to recoup our operating costs

The academy's rigid training schedule stretches over the weekend

The intense weekend training sessions have averted the trainees from indulging in unhealthy social activities that could jeopardise their future

In addition to this, the academy regularly conducts moral and spiritual classes as well as motivational talks for its trainees

Knowledge and spiritual fortitude goes hand in hand towards character development in a football player. It is no use having a player who is deft on the field but is found wanting in discipline and character. Such a player would not go far in his football career

OBJECTIVES

With the level of commitment and enthusiasm displayed by its management, the academy is well on the path to producing a pool of local football talents that are highly skilled, disciplined, and emotionally and physically committed to the improvement of their game

Upon completion of their internship at the academy, trainees are given priority for selection into the Under 12 category in the Junior League and progressively move on to the Youth's League, before having the opportunity to be selected and play for the country

As such, the academy sees itself as a factory tasked with producing highly skilled and proficient players

Given the right physical exercise, technical skills training and mental aptitude, coupled with a comprehensive sponsorship programme, there is no limit as to how far our players can go