KUALA LUMPUR: The direction of the National Football Development Programme (NFDP) will be determined jointly by the Sports Ministry, Higher Education Ministry and the FA of Malaysia (FAM).
NFDP lead director Safirul Azli Abu Bakar has refused to comment on speculation regarding the programme which is rumored will be completely managed by FAM.
Safirul in turn explained that they are ready to cooperate with all parties involved, especially Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman in making a decision regarding the future of the programme.
“The sports minister has already held meetings with all three sides, namely the sports ministry, higher education ministry and FAM to take in the feedback on NFDP before making a decision on the direction and future of the programme after this,” said Safirul.
“The first meeting was held yesterday and will be followed by a series of meetings at the officials’ level before a couple of important proposals are brought forth to the minister for his consideration.
“The proposal on the rationaliSation of NFDP will take into account all aspects including costings, expenditure and financing, technical coordination, and centralising the programme’s surpervising secretariat for next year and so on, so forth.
“All of NFDP’s stakeholders have already given their commitment to think of the best possible means to ensure that all the football development initiatives are continued for the sake of the future of Malaysian football.”
The direction for NFDP garnered a lot of attention after the change in government with FAM being said as the ones who will take over the programme.
In fact, after having a meeting with FAM president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin yesterday, Syed Saddiq said that NFDP’s future and direction is still being studied and evaluated.
Malah, bercakap selepas pertemuan dengan Presiden FAM, Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin semalam juga, Syed Saddiq menjelaskan hala tuju NFDP masih dalam kajian.