Under-19 players given scholarships for further studies

Five national Under-19 players have received scholarships to pursue a Diploma in Football Studies at the Cyberlynx Inter-national College (CIC).

The five will receive RM30,000 per annum. They are defenders Muhammad Ariff Zulkifly, Mohd Syuhiran Zainal, Ahmad Faizal Sumar and midfielder Muhammad Akram Mahinan (pic)and Muhamad Naim Zakaria.

Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek, who received the sponsorship on behalf of the players, welcomed the support from CIC.

“I welcome this effort from the private sector who are willing to help our young footballers,” Shabery said at the Dewan Komanwel in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

“I see this as positive move for the players as it will improve the standard of our football.”

The five players were not present to receive their scholarships as they are with the national Under-19 squad in Myanmar for the Asean Football Federation (AFF) U-19 Youth Championship.

The team, who are in Group A with Cambodia, Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines, kept alive their chances of making it to the quarter-finals with a 6-0 demolition of Singapore at the Aung San Stadium in Yangon yesterday.

The boys drew 0-0 with Cambodia in their opening match last Friday and lost 1-0 to Thailand last Sunday.

They will mee the Philippines in their final group match on Saturday.