Courtesy: The AFC.com


Off the Street, On the Ball

Kuala Lumpur: AFC's Midnight Football project - Off the Street, On the Ball - has come in for praise from several NGOs for being the first of its kind in Malaysia.

They said the project, being introduced in Malaysia first before its launch in other countries of the continent, will pave the way for other organisations and corporate entities in Malaysia to carry out such a programme, which targets neglected youth.

The-afc.com spoke to representatives of three NGOs – the Malaysian Council of Child Welfare (MCCW), Global Peace Association Malaysia (GPAM) and Sports Planet-City Youth Academy – which are taking part in the AFC’s social responsibility project.

Ismail Majid, Honorary Secretary of MCCW, said the project is a ‘supreme effort’ by AFC where a lot of entities – government agencies, NGOs and the football fraternity – are involved.

“The project is an excellent avenue for youth to relay their energy. This is a very positive project, which will beckon the private sector in the nation and other countries to take the idea and run their own programmes,” he said.

A parent council for 30 child NGOs advocating the rights of children in Malaysia, MCCW is involved in exposing the Midnight Football participants to their rights as children, which are protected under the Child Act, said Ismail.

Dr Teh Su Thye, Secretary General of GPAM, said AFC is doing a great job in using football to help neglected youth.

“Lots of youth love the game of football and the name of the project – Midnight Football – is also attractive. The project involves many organisations but all of them are working towards a common goal – to benefit the youth," said Dr Teh, whose organisation is tasked with the character education programme in the project.

“The best thing about the project is that it is going to instil the spirit of working together in the young participants.”

The Sports Planet-City Youth Academy, a partnership that operates Malaysia’s biggest futsal facilities, will be engaged in organising futsal coaching clinics during the project.

Its Head of Futsal and Soccer Development Mohd Sulaiman Gerrard said it was about time for AFC to do something for the Malaysian community.

“No one has used football to help neglected youth in Malaysia before. This will be a first in Malaysia,” he said.

“This is also in line with the Malaysian Government’s new initiative to promote the so-called ‘one student, one sport’ concept, where each school student will be very good in at least one sport.

“This is an important project that should be long-term and needs more people to make it a success.

“AFC has done something great. This is the first step towards greater things for youth.”



Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com