Where are all the talent scouts?
SADLY, no talent scouts from the big clubs in the Klang Valley, State FAs or FA of Malaysia came for the event.
Sadly, none of them was interested to come to watch and select the talents available to be groomed for the future.
So many enthusiastic youngsters turned up for the Milo RSC Under12 International 7s recently.
And yet the impression in this country is that we don’t have talent and need to get naturalised players from foreign countries to wear the national jerseys.
It makes one wonder whether Malaysia really lacks football talent when so many young and skilful players turned up for events like the Milo RSC Under-12 International 7s.
In the final, fate again was against Royal Selangor Club (RSC) Harimau while Destiny Football Development Centre (FDC) were destined to win the title.
Destiny FDC lacked experience, they were formed only two and half months ago, but this did not stop them from winning the Milo RSC Under-12 International 7s title.
On the other hand, the RSC team have yet to win the title though the RSC Junior Football Development programme has been in existence for 15 years.
Destiny FDC defender Aidiel Zacharia’s freekick, which was taken from almost the halfline in the first half, was enough to seal RSC’s fate as his shot sneaked into goal.
Destiny FDC had a girl in their team in Japanese defender Chie Akayama apart from Ghanaian Ayman Munir. This probably gave them an edge over RSC.
Destiny FDC development programme founder, Aylwin Skelchy said: “This success is a tremendous boost for our development plans.”
Destiny DFC are based at Rim Bayu in Kota Kemuning and Bandar Sri Damansara Baru.
IJM Land and Penyayang Bakti (an orphanage) support the Destiny DFC development programme by providing the training ground.
“IJM has given us a beautiful training facility at Rim Bayu and also financial aid, while Penyayang Bakti let us use their field, while we in turn train their children from the home,” said Skelchy, 42, a former St John’s Institution football and hockey player.
Rim Bayu is used for development programmes, while the Bandar Sri Damansara Baru centre is used for the elite teams.
“I was motivated to set up this programme after my son, Hanz Daniel made it to the National Under-13 squad.
“I felt that many more deserving cases will make the grade if given the opportunity.”
Skelchy’s younger son, Kyle Skelchy, played in the tournament and was adjudged the Man of the Match in the final.
Destiny FDC coach Chris Nathan, who holds an Asian Football Confederation B licence, said: “It may be challenging to coach these youngsters but it is very satisfying because they show great passion, determination and commitment.”
Destiny FDC also have on board technical director, Oleg Starynski, from Ukraine, who was the former national under-16 head assistant coach in 2015. Last year, he was head coach of the Under 19 Phnom Penh Crown team in Cambodia and assistant national coach of the Cambodian Under19 team.