KUALA LUMPUR: The Young Tigers could make a comeback to Malaysian football soon.
The Young Tigers last competed in the M-League in 2012 before it was disbanded in 2014.
This was followed by the formation of the FAM-NSC Project squad.
With the recent decision to disband the project squad, FAM may redirect the funding towards developing a formidable squad for the 2027 Sea Games, tentatively scheduled in Malaysia, by reintroducing the Young Tigers project for Under-19 players.
FAM is revisiting this idea, especially after the poor performance of the national youth squad at the recent Under-23 Asian Cup in Doha.
However, the Young Tigers A and B squads, if the initiative becomes a reality, will have a slight twist.
Realising that the initiative may not attract top youth players from their respective clubs, it would be open to fringe footballers in a move to create a bigger pool of quality players for the national team.
"I intend to speak to the Youth and Sports Ministry about placing Young Tigers A and B under FAM's payroll so that we can send them abroad," said FAM president Datuk Hamidin Amin.
"We will offer long-term contracts to youth players. In the long run, it will benefit the national team."
Meanwhile, FAM's aspiration to assume control of the Mokhtar Dahari Academy (AMD) in Gambang, Pahang, awaits the Youth and Sports Ministry's decision.
"We want to hire a professional figure to run it. Our focus is on nurturing elite players aged 10-17. They will train under top-tier coaches and support staff," he added.