Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email Another good effort by EWRF. They have been running the C3G Education and Career Guidance program, and have started a Medical Aid Fund recently too. They have also conducted Total Immersion Camp (for English Language). Now, there’s another program focusing on a new area: sports. I hope community members can help support this program. See how you can help EWRF at their website.
THE Education Welfare Research Foundation (EWRF) has started an ambitious football programme.
The programme is an initiative to provide a platform for students whose parents are in the lower income group as well as under achievers to be involved in a healthy sporting activity.
Currently about 120 students, aged from nine to 17, are attending weekend training sessions at the SJK (T) West Country in Kajang. The coach is S. Selvaras, who had played for Hindu Youth FC as well IRC Veterans, in the local league.
Selvaras, a driver by profession, said he was pleased to be involved in the programme.
Take a break: The players in a relaxed mood after a training session.“I have been coaching the players for the past three years. The participants are from the rural background. Their parents are not in a position to pay for their training at private football academies.
“This programme has certainly played a role in making them excel not only in football but also studies,’’ said Selvaras.
The programme co-ordinator E. Eesan Pasupathi said they had initiated the programme about five years ago.
“Then, our focus was to encourage the students to study and we had used football to entice them. We were encouraged with the participation of the students in football and our tuition programmes,’’ said Eesan.
But after two years, Eesan said they decided to also focus on primary school pupils.
“We found that it was more suitable to start with the primary school pupils. We have ample time to motivate as well as counsel them. We have been getting encouraging feedback from the parents,’’ said Eesan.
With precision: The trainees going through a skills drill during training.Several players from the programme had gained places in their school teams. Some had represented Hulu Langat and Selangor in age group competitions. One player — S. Kumaresan — had earned a place in the PKNS team for the Reserve League, organised by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM).
Last year, EWRF made an impact in age group competitions. They were semi-finallists in the Under-16 age group in the 1Malaysia football competition and two other age group championships.
The Football Association of Selangor (FAS) had also called up three players for a series of trials.
However, they failed to make the cut when the final squad was named. But Eesan said the stint was a valuable experience for the players.
“Being young players, they are motivated and we will encourage them to train more diligently,’’ he said.
The success of the programme in Kajang has prompted EWRF to initiate similar training programmes in Rawang, Malacca, Johor Baru, Ampang, Sungai Siput and Tanjung Malim.
Eesan said they had plans to organise a competition for the trainees from the seven centres.
“The competition, most probably a centralised one, will give the coaches the opportunity to evaluate their charges’ progress.
“We will also invited former internationals to share their experience with the trainees,’’ said Eesan.
Source:
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2011/2/24/central/8058826&sec=central
