Kuala lumpur: The government has allocated RM18 million for the implementation of the National Football Development Programme (NFDP) this year, says Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari. He detailed the allocation under the 13th Malaysia Plan, emphasizing its use for the management of athletes and coaches, training centre management, exposure through training and tournaments, sports science and medicine, as well as support services.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the allocation also supports programmes involving 16,221 trainees and 792 coaches across a network of 79 Tunas Academies, 63 District Training Centres, 14 State Sports Schools, one Zone Academy and the Mokhtar Dahari Academy. Dr Mohammed Taufiq expressed the government's commitment to strengthening football, aiming to produce more outstanding local players capable of representing the country. He encouraged resolving football-related issues through due process and maintaining the spirit to empower existing programmes.

Dr Mohammed Taufiq further explained that the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) is responsible for the technical, coaching, and performance aspects of the NFDP, while the National Sports Council manages aspects such as finance, education, welfare, trainees, hostels, catering, facilities, and maintenance.

On the socio-economic front, Dr Mohammed Taufiq highlighted plans to focus on developing entrepreneurship skills among rural youth this year. This initiative aims to create more local job opportunities and reduce reliance on urban employment. He noted that the systematic implementation of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) previously encouraged rural youth migration to urban areas, seeking better job opportunities and higher incomes.