KUALA LUMPUR, May 17 — The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) is studying the potential to revive the Harimau Muda programme which, among others, aims to serve as a continuity platform for the development of young players in the country.
Its president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin said plans to revive the squad, comprising Under-23 players, would be discussed with Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh as its implementation would involve a high cost.
“FAM wish to discuss with the minister the proposal to revive Harimau Muda A or B, with the payroll coming under FAM. Perhaps we will send this team abroad if it is deemed suitable, similar to the previous Harimau Muda team.
[caption id="attachment_300469" align="alignleft" width="414"]
Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin delivers his speech during the thanksgiving to celebrate his appointment as a Fifa council member, at Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya, Petaling Jaya, on February 7, 2023. — Picture by BERNAMA[/caption]
“Perhaps some players have signed with other clubs and maybe those who are keen can be loaned (to Harimau Muda) because FAM will return them to the clubs but, at least, they (the players) will get exposure playing in a foreign league.
“That is one of the options which FAM want to discuss with the minister. FAM views the financial resources and discussions with the minister as vital,” he said in a recent special interview with Bernama at Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya.
Hamidin hopes the programme will eventually benefit the national senior team in FAM’s mission to ensure the Harimau Malaya squad get to compete in the Asian Cup.
Malaysia ended a 42-year wait when they qualified on merit for the 2023 Asian Cup in Qatar in January.
“We must qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia to remain among the top 24 teams in Asia,” he said.
The idea of reviving the Harimau Muda is among FAM’s initiatives at the youth level that are being drafted to prepare for upcoming sporting events and major championships.
Some of the events FAM are focused on include the 2028 Olympic Games, the FIFA Under-17 and Under-20 World Cups; the 2026 Asian Games; and the 2025 and 2027 SEA Games.
The Harimau Muda outfit, established in 2007, had a positive impact for a short period when the squad, under the guidance of Datuk Ong Kim Swee at that time, clinched the Premier League title in 2009.
The squad's existence was also considered a catalyst for the national team’s resurgence, as it led to Malaysia winning gold medals at the 2009 and 2011 SEA Games and lifting the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Cup in 2010.
The Harimau Muda squad, comprising players aged between 20 and 22, was divided into the A and B teams in 2009 before a C team for Under-19 players was established several years later.
Throughout its establishment, the Harimau Muda squad also competed in the Super League, S-League (Singapore), Slovakian First Division, Queensland League, which is part of Australia's premier league, and the FAM League.
In November 2015, FAM decided to disband the Harimau Muda programme and return the responsibility of developing youth players to the club sides.
— Bernama
