| Training juniors to be competitive
By Y.P. SIVAM
Photos by AZHAR MAHFOF
sivam@thestar.com.my
THE Ulu Klang Recreation Club (UKRC) has decided to expose its juniors to competitive matches after two years of training.
Two years ago, UKRC launched a junior development programme catering to students aged from six to 16-years-old. Under the guidance of chief coach Kok Keng Lin, the trainees had learnt the basics and were also able to understand the game.
Last year, UKRC also took part in selected competitions. How-ever, UKRC football co-ordinator Jeffrey Low felt that trainees in the junior programmes should be given the opportunity to play in more competitive matches.
 |
Healthy competition: A keen tussle for the ball among the trainees. |
“The players had shown tre-mendous progress. It is time to expose them to competitions.
“Training alone will not make them accomplished players. They must be given the chance to practice what they have learnt in training. The best way is to play in competitions,” said Low.
Early this month, UKRC took part in the Little League junior competition. The Under-10 team did not do well but the Under- 12 side managed to advance to the Winners’ pool and finished a credible fifth in a field of 12 teams.
Low said they were encouraged by the results but felt the younger boys should be given more competitive matches.
This year, besides regular friendly matches, the trainees have the chance to play against their counterparts in the Klang Valley.
UKRC have already been invited for competitions organised by Royal Selangor Club (RSC), Foot-ball Association of Malaysia (FAM) First Touch programme and PKNS.
 |
Young talents: Two of the trainees taking part in a drill. |
Training sessions on Saturdays are from 3pm to 5pm while its 8.30am -10.30am on Sundays. Besides Kok, the coaches invol-ved include Omar Hamzah, Omran Omar and Nasyarul Hei-syam.
Low said they had received encouraging feedback from parents.
“The parents are happy to see their children involved in a healthy sporting activity. They also see a lot of positive qualities in the children’s attitude and discipline.
UKRC president Andrew Gopal said there were plans to organise an invitational junior competition later this 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. Of course we will invite some of the top junior teams in the Klang Valley.
“It will be an excellent op-portunity for our juniors to gain experience and also fos- ter better relationships among the participants,” said Andrew.
More News.. |
