PM announces RM10 million allocation to implement NFDP

KUANTAN: The government has allocated RM10 million to implement the National Football Development Plan ( NFDP) which is aimed at successfully transforming the country’s football standard.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak when making the announcement said the NFDP would also become a National plan that must be supported by all the stake holders, be it the government or private sector.

“My wish is to see Malaysia qualify for the World Cup and that is not an impossible dream. However, it cannot remain a dream but rather must be fulfi lled through systematic planning and implementation through the various resources available.

“Once it is adopted as a National plan, I hope everyone will contribute and support the development plan,” he said in his speech when launching the NFDP and opening the National Football Academy in Gambang, here yesterday.

The event was also attended by Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob, Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin and Second Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh.

He said the effort of a few would not be enough to ensure the success of the plan because it needed a holistic approach which needs careful planning.

Apart from the government, parents and teachers must also play an important role to encourage their children to take up sports, especially football.

“It is with such commitment that we can see the success of the plan and witness a rise in Malaysia’s football standards. In schools, if teachers do not take the initiative to teach the students the art and skills, the plan will not succeed,” he said.

Najib said as a citizen among the 28 million population of the country who love sports (football), he was aware that many would like to see the country’s football standards rise to a level that can enable the National team to play in the World Cup.

“I must admit that football is one of the most popular sports in the world, followed by badminton. Althoughwehaveaworldchampion like Datuk Nicol David (squash) and world number one Datuk Lee Chong Wei ( badminton), it will not be complete without football being up there among the elite,” he said.