Milo junior camps to identify young talents

Former Malaysian international Datuk Santokh Singh has urged the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and state sports associations to take full advantage of the "Milo Play More Learn More" junior sports camps being held throughout the country, to identify talented youngsters.

Santokh officiated the launch of the first of 12 such junior sports camps organised by Milo at the Dewan Komuniti MBPJ field in Kota Damansara on June 26.

He said the large gathering of players was also a good opportunity for sports associations to apply the latest in coaching techniques.

"Milo has done a great job in organising these one-day camps to give young children the chance to learn the proper skills of the game. However, the short duration may not be enough to fully develop their skills," said Santokh.
 "FAM and state (sports) associations should use this chance to scout for new talent at grassroots level events like this to be further trained. This will add more talented players to boost the development of football in Malaysia.

"(Sports) associations should also take the opportunity to come and apply the latest in coaching and training techniques due to the high number of participants available."

Santokh praised the organisers of the camp for involving local residents associations and parents. "It is good to get parents and residents involved as they can continue to organise such events as they already have learnt the skills. They can be more involved with their children's activities."

More than 300 children under the age of 12 took part in the camp, which was intended to introduce them to the basic skills as well as inculcate good sporting values in today's youth for four sports -- football, netball, basketball and hockey.

The camp consisted of coaching clinics taught by qualified coaches which ended with mini-tournaments to give the children the chance to apply the new skills they had learnt during the clinic.

The next "Milo Play More Learn More" junior sports camps will be held at various venues.

The upcoming camps :
July 17: Bukit Bendera, Penang;
July 30: Kuching Family Park, Sarawak;
Sept 18: Temerloh, Pahang;
Sept 25: Bukit Serkam, Malacca;
Oct 2: Larut Tin, Perak;
Oct 9: Pasir Gudang, Johor;
Oct 15: Kampung Pasir, Kelantan;
Oct 22: Jertih, Terengganu;
Oct 30: Taman Kajang Jaya, Selangor;
Nov 13: Kampung Medan Klang Lama, Selangor.