RELYING TOO MUCH ON FOREIGNERS

Santokh hits out at FAM and M-League coaches

LEGEND Datuk Santokh Singh feels that the “over dependence” on foreign players in the M-League has hindered the development of local footballers.

The much acclaimed former national defender said many local teams prefer to take the easy way out by buying foreign professionals in the chase for trophies, but it is not helping the local players at all.

As a result, quite a number of coaches put their trust in imports far more than local players especially when it comes to key positions on the team.

Santokh said these coaches are more concerned about their teams’ results than the interest of local players or the bigger picture — building Malaysian football.

“There are too many outside (foreign) players playing in our league and that’s where you don’t get our forwards, defenders or midfielders (for the national team) and that’s where the downfall is,” he said.

“Everyone is just focused on winning titles and trophies by bringing in all these (foreign) players and leaving our players on the outside.

“We have to find a solution to this. Our coaches are not just

brave enough to use local players who are not experienced and I have no idea why.”

Santokh, who helped Malaysia qualify for the 1980 Moscow Olympics and won a bronze medal at the 1974 Asian Games, said he doesn’t agree with the reasoning that a “packed football schedule” is the main reason why Malaysian teams can’t perform.

The 66-year-old said with the latest developments in football, the players of today have it much easier compared to the time when he played for Selangor (1972-1985) and the national team (1972-1980).

“We had the Malaysia Cup, FAM Cup and ‘outside’ leagues to play in. We have our own government services games and we were also just as tied up as now,” said Santokh.

“We used to play at around 4.30-4.45pm but today, they play at night which is even easier and cooler.

“You try playing football during the evenings and you will know the difference.

“During my time, players who are getting old and close to retirement had replacements in certain positions but I don’t see that happening now, and the coaches just want to be champions.”

And Santokh has called into question Malaysia’s youth development programme, which he claimed is ineffective.

“What is going on with the NFDP (National Football Development Programme), Mokhtar Dahari Academy? It’s in a shabby state but who is the cause of it? You should know,” he said.

However, Santokh commended national coach Tan Cheng Hoe’s decision to retain only two senior players – Farizal Harun and Norshahrul Idlan Talaha – for the international friendly against Nepal and pre-World Cup qualifier as a step in the right direction.

Santokh, known to be a vocal critic of the sad state of Malaysian football, said: “If you ask me, I doubt Malaysia can qualify for the Asian Cup, Olympics or the World Cup because it is an impossible reality.”

Santokh also disagreed with the FA of Malaysia’s plans to use naturalised players for the national team and their dependence on foreign experts. He said FAM should use the expertise of former national players instead.

“Get the ex-national players to help out in certain fields because they know better and have gone through it.

“I don’t understand why they don’t want to do so, and instead using all these outsiders to run the coaching courses and all that.

“All I can say now is best of luck, FAM!”