One helluva stint at Cardiff City

KUCHING: It was certainly a dream come true for three Sarawakian teenagers, having been picked for a memorable trip to the Cardiff City Football Academy in Wales, United Kingdom.

Kuchingite Mohammad Irfan Syahmi Irwanddy and his Miri buddies Mohammad Aniq Ashwin Abuzar and Nur Sarafana Hikma Jailani underwent three weeks of training and various exposure activities under the 1MCC-Astro-Kem Bola project.

For Irfan, the best moment for him was playing against the Cardiff City Under-13 development team and winning that match.

“It was thrilling. Our striker Roudell Enel Tan from Sabah, was one of the top players in the boys team as he managed to score a hat-trick,” the 13-year-old said.

He could not stop beaming about how lucky he was having been selected among 2,722 young Malaysian hopefuls to experience training and playing at English Premier League side Cardiff City.

“I was so fortunate to be (training) under the Cardiff coaches. I learnt a lot about techniques in passing and shooting.

“We were all taught about the importance of discipline and self-dependence,” the left-back said.

However, Irfan also noted several challenges.

“The Cardiff players are a large-sized lot, which could prove disadvantageous to Malaysian footballers.

“However, I have learnt that one way to address this is to practise fast moves.”

The bubbly lad also had one message to Malaysian coaches whether at state or national level.

“Pick me. I am your promising footballer and I assure you that I will deliver my best for the team.”

For feisty girl Nur Sarafana, to be selected as among 32 best young players from Malaysia was one of her most treasured memories.

“I would like to thank the Cardiff coaches. Training outside Malaysia was really different. The experience has taught me the importance of training smart and discipline,” the 13-year-old said.

Head coach of 1MCC James Barnett was extremely proud of his charges’ performance during their time in Cardiff.

“In such a short space of time, the boys and girls have made strides in their development as a player and more importantly, as a person.

“As a coach, it is very fulfilling to see the remarkable progress of all the players.

“I hope that when they return to Malaysia, they would carry themselves with pride knowing that they have performed to their highest potential,” he said.

Barnett also acknowledged that the 1MCC-Astro-Kem Bola project had allowed Malaysian youths to understand how they could achieve their dreams.

“I hope that these young ones would share their experience and new-found knowledge with their friends and family.

“I also wish that they would always remember their dreams and continue to work hard to achieve them.”

The 1MCC philosophy of “Football For All” aimed at providing a platform for youths to realise their potential through football.