Parents should encourage and support their children to take up football seriously because there is a career in football.
This was the plea from FA of Malaysia deputy-president and FA of Selangor president, Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal at The Royal Selangor Club 17th RSC-Tiger International soccer 7’s and the 15th RSC-Milo Under-12 International soccer 7s 2017 opening ceremony this morning at the RSC, Bukit Kiara Annex.
“Malaysian football maybe still developing, but it has come a long way since its amateur days to semi-pro and now professional,” told the 20 Under-12 participating teams and their parents in his opening address.
“These days some of the top clubs pay as high as RM90,000 a month for their players while even clubs who run their team on tight budget, pay about RM30,000.
“There is certainly a career in football and parents who are present here and have started their children through the RSS Junior Soccer Development Programme (JSDP) should encourage and support their children to pursue a career in football.
“FA of Malaysia under the new leadership of Tunku Mahkota Johor is doing everything possible to raise the standard football in the country, but like everything it takes time. We need the support of all and programmes like these by RSC also play a key role for the future,” added Subahan before officially declaring open the tournament. Â
Also present at the opening ceremony was former Asian Football Confederation (AFC) secretary general Peter Velappan. There was also strong support from ex-internationals with the presence of Datuk N. Thanabalan, Datuk Soh Chin Aun, Datuk Santokh Singh, Datuk K. Rajagobal, Datuk Chen Wooi Hwa, Vincent Thambyrajah, Ho Hon Seong, Kamarulzaman Yusof A. Jayakanthan and Lim Hong Guan.
RSC as part of the community service, also brought children from the Divine Mercy Boys Home to witness the tournament, handed goodie bags and provided lunch.
Newly elected president of RSC Eapen Thomas in his opening address congratulated organsing chairman St John Davies and his team and soccer section convenor Datuk Kevin Christopher for putting up this grand tournament which not only last attracted local teams but foreign teams from Netherlands, Singapore, Thailand, India, Australia, Brunei, and the Maldives.
“RSC is among the pioneer clubs to have initiated a Junior Soccer Development Programme, playing a significant role in the development of the game in the country,” said Davies.
“Initiated in 2002, the RSC JSDP has produced players who have gone on to play for the state and national teams. Players like Pahang’s Kogileswaran, Kuala Lumpur President’s Cup player Daniel Ong, former Harimau Muda player Nicolas Wee, Damien Lim of Harimau Malaysia and Selangor, Davidson Tan of Harimau Malaysia and KL to name a few.Â
“All these players have featured regularly in the RSC Under-12 International Soccer 7s in the past. It is indeed an achievement for these players to have graduated from our JSDP programme to play for state and country.”
RSC Soccer Section, which has about 100 active social soccer-playing members, will be represented by one team in the Masters category and two teams in the Grand Masters category.Â
In the Under-12 category, RSC will be represented by two teams – RSC Harimau and RSC Eagles.
Teams from the Netherlands, Singapore, Thailand, India Brunei and the Maldives add international flavour to the tournament.
Penang Sports Club and Bukit Jambul Club from Penang, HMFC Johor and Brunei Hornbills from Sarawak prove strong local representation, in addition to local team regulars Kilat, Selangor Indian Sports Council, Samba FC, KL Galaxy, from the Klang Valley.
The tournament also sees a return of the Malaysian Grasshoppers, a team comprising expats working in Malaysia. KLM, a regular participant in the tournament, have also made their journey from the Netherlands.
United Veterans Kolkata of India and Circuit FC of Singapore make their maiden appearance, along with local teams Kowaja FC, Merata FC, HTC FC, and Delima Sejati FC.
The Masters, the above 40 age group category, will have 16 teams, and the Grand Masters category, for those above 50, will see an increase in teams this year, from 12 last year to 16 this year, due to overwhelming requests to participate.
The Under 12 category due to the over whelming demand, has also seen an increase to 20 teams. This year the U-12 will have an additional category, the Bowl competition to cater for the participation of 20 teams.
For the first time two all-girls teams, one each from Singapore and Malaysia – Girls Dream Team Circuit FC and Super Girls Subang Jaya.
Australian side Swan Districts return once again, apart from Singaporean teams, JSSL Singapore and the Soccer Mates from Maldives. Regular local teams to feature include academies such as the CIMB YFA, Little League, Bintang Biru Penang and Harimau Mega FC from Johor.
RSC International Soccer 7s 2017
List of Participating Teams
Masters Category
- Royal Selangor Club
- Penang Sports Club
- Brunei HornbillsÂ
- Selangor Indian Sports Council
- Samba FC
- MyOpal Galaxy
- Kilat
- HTC FC
- Merata FCÂ
- United Veterans Kolkata
- Maldives Soccer Mates
- Circuit FC SporeÂ
- Subang Jaya Community Sports Club
- Delima Sejati FC
- Singapore Malays FC
- Singapore Cricket Club Lions (“SCC Lions”)
Grand Masters Category
- Royal Selangor Club
- Poly Vets Spore
- Kowaja FC
- KBank Thailand
- Malaysian Grasshoppers
- Bukit Jambul Sports Club of PenangÂ
- HTC FC
- HMFC
- KLM
- Singapore Recreation ClubÂ
- Thai AirwaysÂ
- Maldives Soccer Mates
- Kilat Seniors
- Singapore Malays
- TM Jones FC
- Royal Selangor Club 2
- Â
Junior U12Â Category
- Royal Selangor Club Harimau
- Royal Selangor Club Eagle
- Bintang Biru
- 1st Touch Assumption
- Swan District-Glenmarie United
- Maldives Soccer Mates
- Early Touch Football Academy
- JSSL Singapore
- Subang Jaya Community Soccer Club
- KB Remaja Harimau Klang
- FCKL
- El Roi Football Academy
- Supergirls SJ
- Titan United Futbol Academy
- Akademi Bolasepak Pro Harimau Remaja Ampang
- FISA
- Harimau Mega FC
- GDT Circuit FC, Singapore
- FC 1 Goal SFC
- CIMB-YFA
