Penang CRC go for Samba flair

PENANG may soon become a base in Asia for footballers to acquire the world famous Brazilian samba football skills.

This is because the Chinese Recreation Club (CRC) Football Academy in Penang are making a move to tie up with one of Latin America’s elite clubs — Cruzeiro FC.

CRC Football Academy chairman Laurence Loh would be leading a seven-member team, including four promising local talents, to the club for a one-month stint from Aug 5.

Upon arrival, Loh intends to ask Cruzeiro to set up a joint academy in Penang.

“What excites me is the assurance given by Brazilian Ambassador Sergio De Souza Fontes Arruda that Penang can become a base for Brazilian football to be marketed throughout Asia,” he said.

According to Loh, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, a fan of the ‘Red Devils’ (Manchester United), has shown good support to CRC’s cause as it has the potential to enhance the development of football in the state.

Known as Cruzeiro Esporte Clube in Portuguese, Cruzeiro FC were once home to former Brazilian superstar striker Ronaldo while their former national midfield maestro Rivaldo is currently playing for the club.

Former Brazil national goalkeeper Dida, who is now with the Italian side- A.C. Milan, was also once with Cruzeiro.

The setting up of Cruzeiro Asia through CRC, if it materialises, will enable the joint academy to scout, nurture and develop talented footballers from across the Asian region.

Of the four players picked by the football academy to undergo a lifetime experience of training in Brazil, three are from Penang while the other is from Kuala Lumpur.

The quartet, all below 16, are defender Yap Jian Liang, striker Andrew Wong, midfielder Kumaah-ran Sathasivam (all of Penang) and Selangor’s Marcus Mah.

While Jian Liang, a Form Four student from St Xavier’s Institution and Chung Hwa Confucian’s Andrew Wong have the backing of their parents, Kumaahran, a product of the SMK Mutiara Impian in Penang, will be going under special fund created by local entrepreneur Gary Nair.

As for Marcus Mah of SMK OUD 4, who was invited to join the group after being described as a highly talented player, he has managed to secure a private sponsorship for his trip.

They will be housed at Belo Horizonte, the third largest metropolitan area in Brazil.

The four will undergo a skill assessment test and a rigorous training programme there.

“As far as I am concerned, this trip is just a dream,” said Jian Liang, who featured prominently for CRC in their Junior League championships.

Wong, whose favourite player is Barcelona’s star Andres Iniesta, also said that he never expected to be selected for this training stint in Brazil.

“With football being my first love, the thought of experiencing the Brazilian samba is enough to get me all excited. I hope to take advantage of this and to return home a better player.”

Kumaahran, the youngest of the four at 15-year-old, has equally big dreams.

Having featured for Penang in both the Under-12 and Under-15 football championships in the Malaysian schools’ scene, he is hoping this trip can enable him to further excel as a midfielder.