KUALA LUMPUR: Businessman Datuk Dr Noordin Ahmad plans to set up a football academy with facilities in Bari, Italy, and Malaysia to train youths and prepare them for a career in international football leagues.
Noordin, who offered to purchase 50 per cent of the Italian club in April, said the FC Bari Football Academy would cover various aspects of building and promoting football careers, and not just be focused on the game.
“Football is not just a physical game, it is also mentally demanding.
“That’s why there are medical practitioners specially trained to boost players’ performances,” he told the New Straits Times yesterday.
He said the academy would be complete with academic and non-academic curriculum. It would cover football games, team management, medical aspects with regards to physical and mental preparations, as well as legal and financial needs.
“The focus is to expose Malaysian and Bari youths to the European league,” he said, adding that while players from other parts of the world were welcome to join the academy, priority would be given to Bari and Malaysian youths.
If all goes according to plan, he said, Malaysian and Bari youths would see themselves playing in the big leagues.
“To kick-start the programme, I want to rope in at least three young Malaysians to attend the academy each year for them to gain knowledge and exposure in the international football scene.”
Noordin said he felt that Malaysian talents had a better chance for exposure in the Serie B of the Italian league.
“The Serie A is the next step up. We can first start from below and move our way up,” he said.
His plans include trading Malaysian players with other teams in the European league and setting promising career paths for them.
Noordin said he had high hopes for Malaysian youth in the international football scene.
“I hope to get support from Malaysian coaches and parents to make this a reality. It is important to identify the talents for this programme now, and I need all the help I can for this.”
He urged parents, coaches and teachers who were aware of their students’ talent to contact him.
“I may be able to provide the best facilities and the funds, as well as give an opportunity for our youth to realise their potential, but I need their help. I’m only one person, and I cannot be going to all corners of Malaysia to discover these talents.”
Further announcements about the academy and how talented players can secure a place there will be made in the future.
Noordin said the main criteria he looked for in a good player was not only exceptional skills, but good attitude and teamwork. An example of such a player, he said, was Argentinian Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona.
“If you watch or study him closely, you will see that when he falls down after being roughed by other players, he does not blame them for it.
“Instead, he would get up, brush himself off and continue with the game,” he said.
That attitude, according to Noordin, is exactly what he wants to see in the players at his club.
“What is important is the journey. The drive to get up after each fall or tackle, as well as determination, will ensure a successful football career.”
Noordin, who founded Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysia France Institute (now known as University of Kuala Lumpur) and Allianze University College of Medical Sciences, hoped to see the football academy soar to great heights.
“If I had done a great job in creating a platform for students in engineering and medical studies (with the two universities), I know I can do the same with football.”
When asked on his long-term plans, Noordin said he hoped to see Malaysia qualify for the World Cup in seven years, with players who have experience playing in football clubs overseas.
“With the experience gained from playing with international teams, these talented football players can share their knowledge and experience with their teammates, just like what Argentinian football legend Diego Maradona did.”
He said Maradona, who had played for Barcelona from 1982 to-1984 and Napoli (1984-1991), played for Argentina during the World Cup in 1982, 1986, 1990 and 1994.
Noordin said he hoped that Malaysia would have a worthy team for the World Cup soon.
“I see huge potential in Bari and Malaysian youths, and I hope to give them the opportunities to excel in this field.”
When asked his plans for the FC Bari team, Noordin said he wanted to retain the team.
“I trust the team. I am sure they know what they are doing. Why fix something that is not broken?”