YSD ends support for club, to focus on developing junior football talent next

Mohd Bakke is proud of SDFCs success in the FAM Cup this year.

Following its strategy to develop up-and- coming sports talent in Malaysia, Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD) will focus on development programmes to hone junior talent in football.

Hence, YSD’s support for the Sime Darby Football Club (SDFC) with a commitment of RM16.3mil since 2014 ends this year.

Prior to the support from YSD, Sime Darby Bhd funded the team since its establishment in 2010.

YSD Governing Council member Tan Sri Mohd Bakke Salleh said the council has decided to focus on programmes that provide a platform for junior talent to develop their skills in various sports, including football in Malaysia.

“The YSD Governing Council has been supporting programmes to provide young, aspiring athletes to develop their skills. Under the Youth & Sports pillar, we are already supporting development programmes for golf and track cycling which are among the core sporting activities supported by YSD at the moment.

“YSD would like to acknowledge the contributions of the SDFC team over the years. Since its establishment, the SDFC has come a long way. The team has made us proud by clinching the FAM Cup this year for the second time and claiming the runner-up spot at the 2013 Malaysia Premier League,” he added.

The SDFC first clinched the FAM Cup in 2010 in a stunning debut and this year will be the final professional appearance of the team in the Malaysian football league.

The players and coaches whose contracts ended on Oct 31 will be paid salaries until the end of next month.

Under the Youth & Sports pillar, YSD has, to date, committed RM189.8mil towards programmes that promote sporting activities to help youths realise their full potential, cultivate sportsmanship and raise the standards of sports.