PETALING JAYA: National Football Development Programme ( DP) technical director Datuk Ong Kim Swee has challenged Malaysia’s young footballers to make the most of their opportunities as preparations begin for the 2025 SEA Games and the next Olympic qualifying cycle.
The former Malaysia national team coach said the youngsters especially those who played in the recent Malaysia Games (Sukma) final must prove themselves by playing regularly against senior players, with most of them registered for the A1 Semi-Pro League.
“It is not Super League level, but they will play week in, week out with senior players,” he said.
“They have to work hard and try to make it to the Super League. There is always potential to break through if they are given the chance,” he said.
Kim Swee stressed that the priority was to create a proper platform for the players, many of whom could be eligible for the SEA Games and Olympic qualifiers.
“For me, it is about the Under-22s and the next Olympic cycle, the Los Angeles 2028 edition. Normally, that is what SEA Games preparation is about,” he said.
Kim Swee said the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and the National Sports Council (NSC) had held a productive meeting to discuss preparations, including the appointment of a coach, training dates and programmes leading into the Olympic qualifiers in June and SEA Games in September next year.
Kim Swee also stressed the importance of a clear pathway after the Under-17 level, saying players must be given meaningful competition instead of being left without progression.
“We need competition for these boys, not just every two years. Playing for clubs is good, but we also need to look for exposure abroad for our national teams,” he said.
Kim Swee viewed those who players at Sukma as potential senior internationals.
Johor beat Selangor 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw on Sunday to lift the Sukma gold.
