Miri, football academy need MYC field – Rep
MIRI: Piasau assemblyman Datuk Sebastian Ting is urging for the Miri Youth Centre’s field at Jalan Kubu here to be retained and not be taken over by a corporate company.
According to him, the location of the field is strategically a cradle of sports like football, softball and rugby, along with other activities for the local community.
“Not only do we hope that the field can remain there for the use of Mirians, we also hope that all the facilities can be upgraded in order to further develop our local sports,” he said during the launching of the Wisma Football Academy yesterday.
It will be a paradox for an academy without a field if the facility is taken away by a private or corporate body, said Ting, adding that Miri is at the losing end as it is one of several fields that have served the sports fraternity here for decades.
In view of that, he said the matter will be discussed with the state government to ensure that the field remains as a sports and recreational facility for the locals here.
On the newly launched Wisma Football Academy, Ting said the academy is capable of developing the sport of football by involving the participation of children from as young as nine years old.
“We fully support the effort of this academy in polishing and scouting for new talents among individuals from as young as 9 years old,” he said.
He added that starting them young from nine follows in the tradition of giant football clubs in western countries which are producing outstanding and worldclass footballers.
“I am confident that through this academy, Miri will also be able to produce football talents that will not only represent Miri, but also the state or even the country,” he pointed out.
Meanwhile, Wisma Football Academy has about 130 trainees aged 9, 12, 15 and 18 as well senior and veteran players.
At the function, Ting also presented a cash allocation to the academy, in support of the local footballing scene.
Also present at the function were president of Miri Football Association, Mohd Saif Jubaidi and secretary Ismail Saual, as well as president of Wisma Football Academy, Abdul Wahad Aman.