THE Football Association of Penang (FAP) is hoping to revive the Under-8, Under-10, Under-12, and Under-16 local domestic leagues this year.
FAP president Mohd Azizudin Mohd Shariff said the association has always been focused on developing football in Penang.
“Our association plays a significant role in developing and discovering football talents at the grassroots level.
“The local domestic leagues, such as the Under-8, Under-10, Under-12, Under-14, Under-16, Under-19, as well as Division 1, 2 and 3, can stir the interest of the young generation in football.
“We are seeing more youths from various ethnic groups returning to football.
“Football is a sport which unites people, and we are very happy to see the participation of youths from all backgrounds coming together for the love of football,” he told Buletin Mutiara recently.
Mohd Azizudin was with the association’s vice-president-cum-executive secretary Katherisan Letchumanam.
Katherisan spoke about the various activities and programmes which were held last year (2022).
“We had the local domestic leagues, coaching clinics, coaching courses, Olympic Carnival football clinic, goalkeeper clinic for youths, and many more.
“It is our responsibility to discover and develop talents; and it has been challenging for us to secure sponsorship.
“We hope to receive continuous support from the Penang government and the private sector,” he said.
Recently, the FAP was awarded the Penang Centennial Heritage Excellence Award by the Penang government.
It was among the 112 recipients which were being recognised for their outstanding contributions that have propelled the state’s excellence in the past century.
Mohd Azizudin said he was proud and honoured to be serving in the FAP which has 102 years of history.
“The association has groomed and developed football legends and talents over the many years,” he added.
He hoped that the association could continue to grow football talents in Penang, with the support from corporations and the state.
Interested contributors can contact Katherisan at 016-4886714 for more details.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad