KUALA LUMPUR: THE inaugural Langkawi International Veteran and Under-12 9s promises to be a sizzling affair.
Organisers of the three-day event, which kicks off on Thursday, are already planning on making it an annual affair.
Tournament adviser Datuk Peter Velappan, who unveiled the trophy during a press conference last week, said more initiatives like this are needed to appreciate players of the past who had contributed to their states and Malaysia.
“I have been involved with football in this country for a long time. This is a great initiative and I hope to see this becoming an annual event.
“The sixties, seventies and eighties were the golden years of Malaysian football. Looking back at those years, we wonder about the great players. Where are they now?
“This tournament will be a great tribute for these players who had given their all for the country and state,” said Velappan who served as the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) secretary-general from 1978 to 2007.
Velappan also stressed on the importance of developing football among young children, and was glad that the Under-12 category will see the participation of 16 teams.
“We must always start with the foundation when we are building a house. Then comes the pillars, which in football are the clubs and state, and finally we have the roof which is the national squad.
“These days, everybody wants to start with the roof, and that is why it comes crumbling down over and over again.
“Players back then were amateurs and there was no salary. Footballers now earn more than RM15,000 a month and you still wonder what they are doing?
“Tournaments like this are important, and I hope to see the FA of Malaysia (FAM) and state FAs being more involved in looking after the welfare of our ex-players. Maybe send them for coaching courses and bring them back into the game.”
Six teams consisting of ex-internationals and state players above the age of 45 have registered for the veteran category while 16 teams will compete for the Under-12 category.
“I hope to see this tournament becoming a success and perhaps we will attract more teams for the next tournament,” concluded Velappan.