| All praise for a special programme
By Y.P. SIVAM
Photo by RAJA SHAMSUL BAHREN
sivam@thestar.com.my
HOW unfortunate for football-crazy lads to be studying in a school without a field.
Ryan Mendis of SRK Stella Maries was one such unlucky student.
But eight-year-old Ryan’s dream became a reality when Ulu Klang Recreation Club (UKRC) launched its junior football development programme last year.
Ryan’s father Harrison enrolled his son in the programme, which is held on weekends. He could already see the changes in the young boy.
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Lau briefing the players before a training session. |
“He is enjoying himself and I see a lot of positive changes in him already,’’ said Mendis. “He not only has the opportunity to play football but also socialise with boys of other races. He has a lot of new friends also.
“I am glad UKRC started this programme. Otherwise, not only my son but other young boys too in this area would not have the chance to be involved in sporting activity,” said Mendis.
Another parent R. Periasamy also shared Mendis’ opinion. His nine-year-old son is a pupil of SRK Air Panas. The school also does not have a field.
“So I had to register him in the programme. I am happy to see my son having a good workout and also making new friends,’’ said Periasamy. “We see young boys of various race mingling, sharing ideas and playing as a team,” he added.
URKC junior programme co-ordinator Jeffrey Lau said about 90 boys, aged six to 16, were in the programme.
“We have the facilities and it is natural that we initiated a junior programme. We are certainly encouraged with the residents’ response. Parents have also been supportive of our programmes,” said Lau.
Trainings are held on Saturdays from 3.30pm to 5.30pm and Sundays from 8.30am to 10.30am.
Kok Keng Lin, Omar Mohamed Diah, Omran Omar and Nasyarul Heisyam currently coach the players.
Each is charged RM50, monthly.
“We have groups for beginners, intermediate and elite. The players will be promoted based on their progress,’’ said Lau. “Since our programme launch last year, parents have seen a lot of progress in the children’s attitude, discipline and game.’’
Due to good rapport, UKRC is regularly invited for competitions. Last year, UKRC took part in the PKNS junior carnival and FA of Malaysia (FAM) first-touch competitions.
But it was unable to leave an impact as the club lacked exposure.
However, UKRC became the runners-up in the plate category in the Royal Selangor Club Internationals Sevens this year. “They have to play in many matches to hone their skills.
“We have played against some of the junior teams in the Klang Valley. We could now see them playing with confidence,” said Lau.
UKRC president Andrew Gopal said there were plans to organise an invitational junior competition next year.
“We have an annual competition for veterans. Now that we have juniors, we feel it is timely to have a competition for them as well,’’ said Andrew.
“If everything goes as planned, then the competition will be held in March next year,” said Andrew.
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