New Straits Times

KUALA LUMPUR: THOUGH Ulu Klang Recreational Club (UKRC) are facing internal troubles, it has not affected the club's appetite for success on the football pitch.

UKRC's Under-12 head coach Omran Omar said the club's youth training programme was continuing as usual as the club remain serious about producing talent that can be further developed and hopefully represent Selangor and country in the future.

12-year-old Thiniesh S. Kalai has been with the UKRC programme for two years.

"Our Under-12 boys have been regularly snapped up by sports schools (after their UPSR exams) and other teams since the (youth training) programme started close to 10 years ago," said the 43-year-old former Kuala Lumpur player.

"We currently have 25 players in our under-12 programme and our ultimate goal is to produce players that can go on to represent the country.

"We aim to do this by giving them a solid foundation in the sport at the Under-9 and Under-12 level before they move on to the more tactical level of the game."

UKRC's Under-12 head coach Omran Omar briefing the players

Omran, who has coached at the club for the past nine years, said UKRC's Under-8, Under-10 and Under-12 programmes were focused on developing players' confidence on the ball rather than burdening them with the technicalities of the game.

"Ball feeling drills, which incorporate a lot of touches, is the main focus for players at this age.

"It is important to keep it fun and help build the players' confidence rather than overcomplicate things.

"We also invite other teams to UKRC to play friendly games every Sunday, so that the boys can experience match situations frequently.

UKRC's Under-8, Under-10 and Under-12 programmes were focussed on developing players' confidence on the ball rather than burdening them with the technicalities of the game

The club's youth training programme continues to increase in popularity each year and for this year's programme, a total of 160 players have registered, compared to slightly over a 100 last year.

S. Kalai, 40, said he was delighted with the improvement shown by his son Thiniesh, 12, since joining the UKRC programme two years ago.

"He really has made a lot of progress since training here. He has matured into a thinking player which is very important in the game," said Kalai, who is also a volunteer at the club.

"Football is a team sport and if players are not able to think and make decisions, it is hard to do well.

"I am also happy to see my son spending his free time in a healthy manner and away from unhealthy influences."

The UKRC junior programme, which is for players from the Under-8, Under-10, Under-12, Under-14, Under-16 and Under-18, is open to the public.

Those interested in joining the programme, can phone 03-4270 5718 for more information.