KUALA LUMPUR – The Amateur Football League (AFL) believes that creating a quota system by forcing the inclusion of young players in clubs participating in the league could hinder their competitive progress in the long run.
The league’s response comes after national under-16 team manager Christopher Raj told Scoop that young footballers must step out of their comfort zones and compete in the AFL to catch the attention of his coaching team.
Under-16 players, who usually represent their states and clubs in the Youth Cup and the President’s Cup, rarely have the opportunity to play for AFL clubs due to the league’s competitive nature.
Unlike the Malaysian Football League, which allows clubs to sign up to 12 foreign players, the AFL does not follow a quota system. It currently allows players of all nationalities and age groups to compete.
Speaking to Scoop, AFL chairman Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mahadi, who also serves as the deputy president of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), said they can not focus on implementing a quota system for young players as all players need to coexist and play for their respective clubs to ensure the clubs’ survival.
“We at the AFL have always advocated for more young players to participate in our league, and we want them to excel by playing in it.
“We can’t rule out the possibility of creating a quota system requiring AFL clubs to include a specific number of under-16 players, but this would place an unnecessary burden on the clubs.
“Every club that competes in the AFL wants to remain competitive and progress to the next stage of the league. If they were to rely primarily on young players, it would limit their progress, as a team requires a depth of experienced players.
“For example, let’s take Bunga Raya Damansara FC, which is currently competing in the A1 League. They might not be in their current position if they were entirely dependent on young players. The reason they are performing well is that they have a balanced squad, including former national footballers,” Yusoff explained.
However, Yusoff suggested that under-16 players could push themselves to compete in the A3 League if they hope to improve and get noticed by the national team or clubs in the Malaysia Super League.
The A3 League, previously known as the Malaysia M5 League, was established in 2018 as part of efforts to reform the domestic structure of Malaysian football, providing a platform for social league clubs to compete.
“We have several platforms where under-16 players can showcase their talents and skills, and they can definitely do so by competing in the A3 League. This league is an ideal platform for them to learn and compete with some of the best emerging talents in the country.
“By competing in the A3 League, they can progress to the A2 and A1 leagues, and eventually play in the Super League.
“We have always given young players a chance to play competitively, but at the end of the day, it’s up to them to seize the opportunity and elevate themselves,” Yusoff added.
The AFL, sanctioned by FAM, currently oversees 15 tournaments nationwide with plans to increase to 20 by the end of the year. – September 21, 2024
