MALAYSIANS S. Thipanraj, Farid Ashraf Kamaruzaman and Mohd Syawal Rosman, all 16, reckons that their stint at the Allianz Junior Football Camp with Bayern Munich in Germany has been an eye-opener.
Just three days into their five-day stint, which began on Wednesday, they strongly believe that it would turn them into better individuals and boost their confidence as they pursue their dreams of becoming professional players.
Klang-lad Thipanraj, who recently signed a contract with Super League side PKNS, said that the trip had made him even more determined to make a name for himself in the local footballing scene.
“This is an unforgettable moment in my life. Bayern Munich are so advanced in every sense. I must thank Allianz for bringing us to Bayern and Germany,” said the striker.
Winger Ashraf and defender Syawal, who skipped the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations with their families to make the trip, admitted that they missed home but “the hectic schedule at the training camp has kept our minds occupied”.
The duo started their Hari Raya celebration by donning new clothes to pray at a local mosque before joining the rest of the Allianz Junior Football Camp trainees for practice session at the Bayern Munich training centre in Saebener Strasse.
Ashraf, who is the only boy among five siblings, said that his mother “missed my antics as I can be very mischevious ... but she has told me to focus on training”.
“I called home and my family said they missed me. I told them that sacrifices had to be made if I am to become a successful footballer,” said the Kuala Lumpur boy.
“My mother sent rendang and other delicacies with strict orders for them to be eaten on Hari Raya day, but we finished them all on the day we arrived here! It’s fun to be here and I believe the stint here will only make me a better player.”
The soft-spoken Syawal, meanwhile, said that the training session and the chance to watch Champion League winners Bayern Munich play in the Allianz Arena were among some of the “unforgettable moments” in his life.
Thipanraj, Ashraf and Syawal were picked from more than 1,500 entries after trials in Kuantan and at the SUK Ground in Shah Alam in June by a panel of coaches, led by former national coach B. Sathianathan.
The five-day camp in Bayern is hosted by Allianz SE and involves 75 teenagers from 25 countries.
Limited time offer:
Just RM5 per month.
