Kim Swee pitches in with moneysaving advice

FOOTBALL teams can save money and avoid injury problems by taking care of their playing and training pitches.

That is the advice to state FAs and clubs from national under-23 coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee.

According to the coach, a poorly maintained pitch could lead to players getting injured, and on the other hand, good pitches are essential for the growth and development of football.

“These guys (players) earn about RM60,000 to RM70,000 (monthly) on average. When they get injured, they are out for about four to six months.

“This would be bad for the clubs especially when they have to pay the injured players.”

The 48-year-old Kim Swee said the pitch of a team is supposed to serve as “home advantage”.

Kim Swee, who has led Malaysia to four titles, used the Japanese teams as an example of playing to home advantage.

“In Japan, they cut the grass short because they want the ball to move fast.

“Why? It’s to suit their playing style. When the ball moves fast, the opponents will be forced to move much faster.”

Kim Swee pointed out that Johor Darul Ta’zim and Selangor have the best training grounds among the 12-team Super League.

He stressed that if they can’t maintain their own pitches, the state FAs or clubs will have to spend money on repairs.

“We must get people who can maintain it, people who understand our climate and what it needs.”

“It’s about time our state FAs and other parties concerned took the condition of their pitches seriously.

“All over the world, stadiums are being built with their number one priority the field and how to maintain it.”