KUALA LUMPUR: The National Football Development Programme (NFDP) is set for a reboot, with Youth and Sports Minister Dr Taufiq Johari expected to announce a strengthened roadmap after Hari Raya.
Taufiq said the programme will be reinforced as part of the government’s long-term commitment to football development despite recent issues involving the Football Association of Malaysia.
“First of all, we must take lessons from what has happened. We respect the decision that has been made by CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport),” he said, referring to the recent ruling by the CAS.
He said the Youth and Sports Ministry would continue to monitor developments and engage with FAM.
However, Taufiq stressed that the CAS ruling does not affect the NFDP.
“That CAS decision does not have any impact on our NFDP… it is not related to the NFDP,” he said.
Taufiq said the government’s focus remains on strengthening grassroots football development to produce more talents.
“What is more important is that we ensure the development of football in our country continues to progress. At the grassroots level itself, we need to make sure we produce more great football players and more great athletes among our society and our people,” he said.
He added that the NFDP will continue to be strengthened through collaboration with the National Sports Council.
Taufiq also confirmed that the programme has not been transferred to FAM. “For now, it has not yet been handed over,” he said.
Director-general Jefri Ngadirin said that the NSC continues to oversee the programme’s implementation, with FAM serving as a technical partner.
He said the NFDP has undergone several improvements, including structural adjustments and changes to the programme’s technical direction and playing “DNA”.
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