MFL unveil Next50 to make our league the best in Asia

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Football League (MFL) have unveiled their vision and strategy under the Next50 strategic blueprint to improve the Malaysian League from 2021-2070.

The blueprint was launched by Johor’s Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, who is also the MFL chairman, yesterday.

He was accompanied by MFL chief executive officer Kevin Ramalingam.

Built on the vision and theme of ‘Malaysian Football at the Heart of the Nation’, the Next50 will focus on four core missions – quality of football in the leagues, human capital, the football community and commercialisation.

The first two years – 2019-2020 – will be the foundation years and the next 50 years will focus on implementations.

Tunku Ismail said the clearly-defined blueprint that would start in 2021 was a positive step towards improving Malaysian football.

“Our main goal is to elevate football in Malaysia to the best possible level,” said Tunku Ismail.

“Most importantly, all parties need to cooperate and contribute towards the planning and implementation of MFL’s 50-year vision.

“There will be no results if all we have are good ideas, but no one wants to implement them.

“If we want our football to improve, everyone needs to play their respective roles,” he said.

Kevin is optimistic that the blueprint will mark a new benchmark for the development of the football league in Malaysia.

“The brainchild behind this blueprint is our chairman,” said Kevin.

“Tunku Ismail is fully confident that the Malaysian League has the potential to be one of the best leagues in Asia.”