
Ex-FAM exco Christopher joins global football summit board
In a statement, WFS managing director and co-founder Jan Alessie said Christopher's extensive experience in football media and communications, gained through his roles with FAM, the Malaysian Football League (MFL), and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), would provide a global perspective.
"Christopher's network and insight will reinforce our mission to shape the future of the sport and to deliver the football we want and the football we need," Alessie said.
Christopher, who has been involved with WFS since 2020, said it was an "immense privilege" to serve on the Advisory Board alongside such high-calibre individuals.
He added that he looked forward to contributing his experience in Malaysian and Asian football to support WFS's vision of advancing the sport worldwide.
Christopher is the second Malaysian to be appointed to the WFS Advisory Board, after AFC general secretary Datuk Seri Windsor Paul.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Focus Malaysia
14 minutes ago
- Focus Malaysia
The decline of Malaysian hockey
IN THE mid-20th century, Malaysian field hockey stood tall on the global stage. From the 1950s through the 1970s, the national team was a formidable force. Malaysia is regularly qualifying for the Olympics, finishing fourth in the 1975 World Cup, and challenging traditional giants like India, Pakistan, and the Netherlands. Back then, Malaysia was one of the best in Asia, often ahead of countries like South Korea and Japan. Fast forward to 2025, and the national team struggles to qualify for major tournaments. Rankings have plummeted, infrastructure is deteriorating, and domestic interest is waning. The once-thriving hockey scene now survives largely on nostalgia and sporadic government interventions. The collapse of development systems Malaysia's golden era in hockey coincided with strong grassroots systems. Hockey was deeply embedded in school sports, especially in states like Perak, Selangor, and Kuala Lumpur. The sport was accessible, coaches were passionate, and state-level competitions were fiercely contested. But over time, that pipeline began to dry up. In the 1980s and 1990s, as football began to dominate the public consciousness and funding, hockey was quietly sidelined. Schools stopped prioritizing the sport, coaching standards dropped, and state associations lost their influence. Unlike India and Pakistan, who also experienced declines but eventually reinvested in their grassroots, Malaysia failed to rebuild its foundation. Today, there are fewer structured pathways for young players. Hockey is rarely played outside select schools or private academies, and even those lack adequate facilities, competitive leagues, and coaching depth. Without a steady stream of talent, national teams have become overly reliant on aging players and quick-fix solutions. Lack of vision and long-term planning Malaysia's field hockey authorities have long lacked a coherent, long-term development plan. While countries like Belgium, who were once mid-tier, invested in 10- and 15-year plans that transformed them into world champions, Malaysian hockey leadership has remained reactive. There have been frequent changes in coaching staff, inconsistent investment in development programs, and a troubling focus on short-term performance that often driven by the need to justify funding. Instead of creating a sustainable ecosystem, the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) has often chased immediate results, leading to disjointed programs and stalled progress. This short-termism has also led to rushed national team selections, where players are chosen without long-term development arcs, often promoted too early or discarded too quickly. The decline of domestic competitions Once a robust platform for talent identification and development, Malaysia's domestic hockey league has lost much of its competitive edge and public interest. In the past, club teams like Tenaga Nasional and Maybank drew crowds and created local heroes. Today, even top-tier matches struggle to attract fans, and media coverage is minimal. This decline in domestic competition has a direct impact on player quality. Without a strong league, players lack the intensity, tactical exposure, and professional environment needed to transition to international standards. Additionally, many clubs suffer from financial instability, inconsistent coaching, and poor facilities, a stark contrast to the professional setups in countries like the Netherlands or Australia. Global game evolved, Malaysia did not Perhaps the most critical failure has been Malaysia's inability to adapt to the modern game. The introduction of artificial turf in the 1970s transformed hockey, making it faster and more physically demanding. Countries that embraced this shift by investing in synthetic pitches, fitness science, and tactical innovation that stayed competitive. Malaysia was slow to adapt. While countries like South Korea, Germany, and even Argentina evolved their style of play to match the modern game, Malaysia clung to outdated tactics and failed to prioritize physical conditioning and analytical coaching methods. As a result, the team has often looked outpaced and out-thought on the international stage. The way forward Malaysia's hockey decline wasn't inevitable as it was the result of decades of neglect, mismanagement, and resistance to change. But the path to revival is still possible, if difficult. First and foremost, grassroots development must be revitalized with a strong emphasis on schools, community clubs, and certified coaching programs. Investing in artificial turf pitches outside urban centres would democratize access to the sport, making it more accessible and encouraging wider participation. Ensuring inclusivity at every level is essential to rekindle the spirit and success that once defined our national hockey legacy. Second, the domestic league must be restructured with clear professional standards, better marketing, and financial incentives to attract and retain talent. Clubs should be encouraged to build academies and invest in youth development. Third, a transparent, depoliticized governance model is essential. Only with accountability, continuity, and expert leadership can Malaysian hockey create and execute a long-term vision. Finally, the national team needs a reset with an emphasis on youth, modern playing styles, inclusivity and sustained overseas exposure. Once a proud hockey nation, Malaysia still holds a place in the sport's history books. With bold reforms, patience, and national unity, there remains a chance to script a new chapter that one that brings Malaysian hockey back from the brink. ‒ Aug 21, 2025 R Paneir Selvam is the principal consultant of Arunachala Research & Consultancy Sdn Bhd, a think tank specialising in strategic national and geopolitical matters. The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. Main image: Malaysian Hockey Confederation


New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Doha momentum to fuel Sunway aim
MALAYSIA are out to turn home advantage into golden glory when they host the 22nd Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championships at Sunway Mega Lanes, starting tomorrow. The national youth squad head into the biennial Under-21 meet on the back of a stunning campaign at the recent Asian Junior Championships in Doha, where they swept seven gold medals. All eyes will certainly be on the 17-year-old sensation Qurratu'Ain Izdihar Pozi once again, who stole the show in Qatar with a five-gold haul. She is joined by fellow Doha medallists Adelia Nur Irwan Syazalee and Wan Zarif Ikram Wan Mazlan, providing continuity and confidence as Malaysia step up to the older age-group challenge. The rest of the eight-strong team comprises Danial Abu Samah, Ethan Damien Goh and Aiman Syahin Sulaiman (boys), together with Adania Mohd Redzwan and Nurul Anis Nabila Nizam (girls). Crucially, Danial, Adelia and Nurul Anis bring with them the experience of competing in the 2023 edition in Bangkok, where Malaysia finished fourth overall in the medal tally with one gold, three silvers and three bronzes. Nurul Anis struck gold in the girls' doubles alongside Anis Hannani Romzi, and later joined forces with Adelia to deliver a bronze in the girls' team event. Danial also contributed with a boys' doubles bronze. That Bangkok experience, coupled with the fresh momentum from Doha, gives the hosts a strong blend of seasoned campaigners and rising firepower. Malaysia are no strangers to success at this level, having been crowned overall champions in 1999, 2001 and 2015. With 14 countries in the fray this time, including Asian bowling powerhouses South Korea, Japan and Singapore, the task will be formidable, but the home squad have made clear their intent to improve on Bangkok's outing and deliver a statement on home lanes. The Asian Youth Championships is widely regarded as the pinnacle of youth bowling in Asia, serving as a crucial platform to identify and showcase the sport's future stars. Across a week of competition, bowlers will contest the singles, doubles, team and All-Events disciplines before the Masters finals crown the individual champions. MTBC president Datuk Mohammed Najeeb Abdullah said Malaysia are proud to welcome Asia's finest to Malaysia. "Malaysia has a rich history in bowling, and we are committed to fostering the next generation of talent," said Najeeb. "Welcoming the best youth bowlers in Asia to our world-class facility is a privilege, and we are prepared to deliver a championship of the highest standard. "This is a fantastic opportunity for the Malaysian public to witness world-class bowling right on their doorstep." The tournament kicks off with the boys and girls singles competitions tomorrow.


Borneo Post
2 hours ago
- Borneo Post
MSN trains board members as Sports Safeguarding Officers to protect young athletes
Ling (second left) with course supervisor Jolie Tan (centre) and other Malaysian participants after completing the training course in Singapore recently. MIRI (Aug 21): The National Sports Council (MSN) is stepping up efforts to strengthen athlete welfare by training its board members as Sports Safeguarding Officers, ensuring athletes, particularly the young, are safeguarded from misconduct and abuse. A two-day Safeguarding Officer Training Course, conducted by the Singapore Safe Sports Commission, concluded on Aug 19 in Singapore. The programme was held in a hybrid format, beginning with an online session via Zoom, before continuing with physical training at the Sports SG Auditorium, Singapore Sports Hub Visitor Centre. MSN Management Board member Alan Ling, who completed the training, said participants were required to pass an online test with a minimum score of 80 per cent before qualifying for the course. He said the course focused on handling issues such as bullying, sexual harassment, neglect, and sexual abuse, particularly in coach-athlete relationships involving minors. 'There is a power imbalance between coaches and young athletes, which makes this situation very sensitive. 'Young athletes are often vulnerable because they are immature, unaware of their rights, and may not know how to protect themselves or report unwanted incidents,' he said. Ling stressed the need for sports associations and institutions to establish proper policies and effective complaint mechanisms, with trained Sports Safeguarding Officers who can offer assistance when needed. 'These services must be well-publicised and easily accessible to victims,' he added. He also called for greater awareness of athletes' rights and protection, not just among athletes themselves but also parents, guardians, and sports administrators. As a certified Sports Safeguarding Officer, Ling pledged to share the knowledge he gained with the local sports community. 'Parents and guardians must know that they have the right to lodge complaints if they discover misconduct involving their children. 'Complaints can be channelled to Sports Safeguarding Officers, who will assess the cases and report them to the relevant institutions. 'If a complaint involves criminal elements, the case will be referred to the police for further investigation,' he said. While Safeguarding Officers are not enforcement authorities, Ling said they play a crucial role in screening, managing, and escalating reports to the appropriate bodies for follow-up action. He also urged every sports association to appoint certified Safeguarding Officers to handle athlete safety issues professionally. 'I hope more individuals in the sports sector will undergo similar training to ensure athletes' welfare is safeguarded, in line with the Ministry of Youth and Sports' aspiration to create a safe and secure sporting environment,' he said. Alan Ling MSN young athletes