MCA offer players one-year contract
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Cricket Association (MCA) have taken a step towards raising the standard of the sport by offering a one-year contract to 21 players in the national men's team.
MCA president Mahinda Vallipuram said this was one of the steps taken to spur the players to continue excelling and bring glory to Malaysia.
He said the multi-tiered contract, which offered allowances ranging from RM750 to RM2,500, would be reviewed every three months, and several factors, like attendance and performance, would be taken into account.
He explained that those who failed to maintain their performance level would be downgraded while those who showed improved performance would be upgraded.
“They must attend at least 80 per cent of the training programmes. This is one of the ways we plan to monitor their progress and it will be regulated by the selection committee. We also have a number of tournaments which we will use to review their progress.
“A few years ago we also gave them contracts, but this time the contract is more systematic as we have held talks with all parties, including the players,” he said at the players' contract signing ceremony at the Kinrara Oval yesterday.
Meanwhile, vice-captain Mohd Shafiq Sharif praised MCA's efforts and described the decision to review their performances every three months as a good way to keep them on their toes.
“This is good for the players. When there is a contract, you feel more secure. And the review system will give players in the lower tier a chance to move up,” he said. - Bernama