KUCHING: Developing better grassroots coaches is just as important as producing talented footballers if Sarawak wants to build a sustainable pathway for future stars.
Axis Football Academy coach Nizam Mahmud believes continuous education for grassroots coaches is vital in raising coaching standards across the state, describing the PETRONAS Grassroots Football Development Initiative as an opportunity to strengthen football development from the ground up.
“We gained useful knowledge about football development in Sarawak, especially through the sharing by Datuk Ong Kim Swee.
“We will bring this knowledge back and share it with other grassroots coaches in Kuching and throughout Sarawak,” he said.
The two-day workshop, held recently in July in conjunction with the PETRONAS Youth Football Closed Tournament (PYFCT) 2026, brought together grassroots coaches, academy operators and football administrators from across Sarawak to strengthen coaching knowledge and football management capabilities.
National Football Development Programme (NFDP) and Mokhtar Dahari Academy technical director Datuk Ong Kim Swee said developing young footballers requires patience and a structured approach, with coaching methods tailored to different age groups.
“The training approach must suit different age groups. The way we coach children aged four to eight is different from those aged nine to 12.
“When coaches understand these stages better, they can develop players more effectively and prepare them for higher levels of football,” he said.
Ong added that children should not be judged after only one or two years of training, but instead be given sufficient time, quality coaching and regular match exposure to realise their potential through a structured development pathway.
Former Sarawak footballer and coach Jalil Ramli echoed the need for consistency in grassroots coaching, saying coaches should adopt a common philosophy while parents also have an important role in supporting young players throughout their development.
“Parents play a vital role in grassroots football. Without their support, it is difficult for young players to attend training regularly and continue developing,” he said.
