KUALA LUMPUR: Former Liverpool and Germany midfielder Dietmar Hamann believes strong investment in grassroots football can help Malaysia realise their World Cup dream one day.
Hamann said initiatives such as the Malaysia Youth League (MYL) and other age-group competitions are laying the right foundation for the future of Malaysian football.
"The kids are the future, and without grassroots football, there’s no professional football," said the 52-year-old.
He believes sustained commitment to youth development can eventually propel Malaysia onto football’s biggest stage.
"It would be priceless if Malaysia could one day take part in the World Cup," he said.
"Right now, there are countries that people never thought would qualify, but they did. So why shouldn’t Malaysia be there in the future?
"I’ve spent some time here and I can see that the game is growing. The kids are passionate and enjoying football, and that’s what matters," he said.
Hamann, who attended the partnership announcement between the MYL and appliance brand Haier, which will sponsor the league from September to December this year, said developing young players requires more than talent, with strong support from all stakeholders crucial to nurturing the next generation.
"I started playing football when I was five years old, and there were so many people supporting me," he said.
"My father coached me for the first few years, which played a big role. That manpower is everything."
During the partnership ceremony, MYL announced Haier as the title sponsor for the Malaysia Cup from Aug 22-23 at the EV Arena in Elmina and their sponsorship of the KL Verdy Football Team.
They will bring together up to 150 teams of young players between the ages of six and 16 in a celebration of talent, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
