FAM Youth Development Programs

FAM does not need 40 million Mrf to develop the youth in football in Maldives. For the moment in FAM Youth Development Program (YDP) there are the Under 9 year old trainees, U11, U13, U14, U16 and U17. Players only were given two T shirts sponsored by health drink manufacturer; the coaches (24) are paid by FAM. Many other coaches are also doing their part without any coaching license in the island. Parents send their children to these training sessions. The children love to be part of the YDP. Most of the efforts given are out of the love for football not for monetary gain. Strong football skills, strategies and tactics and with football mentality, the game will flourish and grow. Schools are not playing any part in these programs. There is no inter-school competition in Maldives even in the island. Academic qualification is still the in thing. I wonder how many Maldivian top scorers in are driving big cars, having a lot properties or excelling in their career. “Studies have shown that those who excel in their career are among the school drop-outs”. This makes the effort of developing football among children more difficult. Without parental support developing football among youngsters is an uphill task. Football Maldives is definitely climbing up the FIFA ranking – slowly but surely. Pics: YDP U13 given an enjoyable outing in Bandos Island.