An activity by Pan-Disability Football Club. Formed in 2006, the club was a recipient of Star Social Impact Grant in 2022.
“IF YOU can’t do it for your brother, you can empower others through sports.”
This advice from his mother still resonates deeply with Sunny Shalesh, better known as Coach Sunny.
Sunny is the founder of Pan-Disability Football Club in Subang Jaya, Selangor, which is Malaysia’s first inclusive football programme.
Growing up, he saw his differently-abled younger sibling’s dream of becoming a footballer go unfulfilled.
That experience shaped his commitment to ensuring no one with disabilities is left behind in sports.
The club provides free coaching to individuals aged six to 40, across 10 disability classifications.
For Sunny, football is more than just a sport; it is a platform for inclusion, empowerment and community building.
Formed in 2006, the club has embraced the motto “Football as a Social Development Tool for People with Disabilities”.
Since then, it has empowered a 400-strong community of players, offering structured football education and training while promoting social inclusion, physical well-being and personal development.
Sunny guiding a primary school pupil in football for the blind.
“I feel honoured to be their coach and to witness their life-changing moments,” said Sunny.
“Children with disabilities are often overlooked, especially when it comes to social opportunities.
“Through this club, I want to create a safe space where they feel they belong.”
In 2022, the club received funding from Star Foundation –the charitable arm of Star Media Group – through the Star Social Impact Grant (SSIG).
This grant underscores football’s unique power to unite people across diverse backgrounds, transcend boundaries and instil a sense of belonging.
The club has become the driving force behind Sunny’s vision of an inclusive and empowering sports programme.
It caters to individuals with intellectual disabilities, autism, Down Syndrome or visual impairments, among others.
“I am deeply grateful to have received the grant in 2022 as it helped drive progress in our club,” Sunny shared.
“We have been able to introduce football to over 70 additional individuals, including 10 to 15 visually-impaired children, 30 intellectually-disabled children, 20 volunteers as well as eight trainers and teachers.
“Thanks to SSIG, we have sustained our programme for 12 months.”
The Pan-Disability Football Club has since established a partnership with ATPI Malaysia, a sports travel and event management company.
The club will also be expanding to Perak in collaboration with Perak Football Association and the state government, with activities set to commence after Hari Raya Aidilfitri this year.
This initiative aligns with Malaysia’s commitment to sports inclusivity.
Under Budget 2025, the Federal Government allocated RM245mil to various sports programmes, further supporting an inclusive sports ecosystem that nurtures champions and promotes community well-being.
“We welcome volunteers to join our training sessions and engage with the kids; no football skills are required!” said Sunny, emphasising that support does not have to be monetary.
Through innovative training methodologies, passionate leadership and an unwavering commitment to inclusivity, Pan-Disability Football Club continues to inspire change, creating a brighter future for individuals with disabilities.
SSIG enters its fifth year of supporting impactful, sustainable projects in 2025.
The programme focuses on two critical pillars: environmental stewardship and community empowerment, with the overarching goal of enhancing the well-being of communities across Malaysia.
Successful applicants can receive up to RM50,000 per project, enabling them to implement their initiatives over a 12-month period.
Non-governmental organisations and social enterprises with innovative, socially driven initiatives are encouraged to seize this opportunity.
Applications for the SSIG programme are open until March 31. Visit bit.ly/starsig to learn more.
