Hard at work: Selangor’s Faisal Halim (left) leading teammates during a training session yesterday. — Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor’s newly appointed football team coach Nidzam Jamil values the role played by each player in the team highly as they have been very cooperative with the coaching staff.
Nidzam, the former Felda United coach and assistant to Tan Cheng Hoe at Selangor, was serving as the interim coach for the 2023 Super League runners-up, before being appointed as the head coach this month, after the departure of Cheng Hoe.
The former Selangor stalwart, who has a wealth of experience and knowledge of the players and team management of the Red Giants, having played for the state from 2000 to 2004, feels he is lucky to be given the task to lead the club as every individual in the squad is equipped with vast experience and have carried out their duties very well.
According to Nidzam, having such credentials has given him a smooth start in the team’s pre-season preparations since training sessions are being carried out at night throughout the month of Ramadan, while the 2024-25 Super League season starts in May.
“We not only have an expert dietician who plays an important role in avoiding unbalanced performances during the Ramadan month.
“We also have liaison officers who assist new players, especially the import players, to adapt to the night training carried out,’’ he said.
“Most importantly, the club provide all the information needed for players who will be readily assisted by officials in the club.
“We are lucky because Selangor have a team of officials and officers who carry out their duties well in their respective departments, an assistant coach and a physical trainer who have been in the business for eight seasons and know what kind of training is needed.
The 44-year-old Nidzam said it was normal for any import player who comes to Malaysia for the first time with their family, to take some time to adjust to the conditions, especially when training is held at night during the month of Ramadan.
‘’There are families of players who are surprised when training is held at 10pm because it disrupts their daily routine.
“It’s normal but we are lucky to have officials who can assist these families of import players. We take the humanitarian approach rather than following the scientific approach. Science is important but with some of the players being non Muslims, we need to assist them to face the situation during the Ramadan month.”
For the new season, Selangor will not only be competing in the Super League but will also feature in the AFC Champions League (ACL 2) competition. — Bernama
