By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, June 30: Aspiring footballers in Sarawak should emulate Brazilian football legend Doctor Sócrates by striving not only to excel in sports but also in academics and life, says Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Project Coordinator for Regional Development Agencies, Kuching North City Commission and Islamic Affairs) Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi.
Speaking during the PETRONAS Youth Football Closed Tournament (PYFCT) 2025 team introduction and opening ceremony for PSK10 and PSK12 held at Mydin Petra Jaya yesterday (June 29), he said young players must be all-rounded individuals who possess both sporting discipline and strong academic foundations.
“We read about the history of footballers like Sócrates Brasileiro Sampaio de Souza Vieira de Oliveira. He was one of Brazil’s most respected footballers in the 1970s and 1980s—and he was also a qualified medical doctor.
“That’s the kind of footballer we want to produce here in Sarawak—a well-rounded athlete who is both physically and intellectually excellent,” he said.
Dr Abdul Rahman stressed that while it is important to train hard and develop football skills, young players must also prioritise their studies and personal development.
“Even if you spend a lot of time training, don’t forget your schoolwork. Make time to revise at home. We want to nurture footballers who are knowledgeable, disciplined, and capable in every aspect of life,” he added.
His remarks were part of four key pieces of advice he offered to the young players: maintain good health, respect their coaches, embrace teamwork, and stay committed to their education.
Meanwhile, PETRONAS Sarawak general manager and PYFCT 2025 coorganising chairperson Norazibah Md Rabu said the tournament provides an opportunity for football academies to showcase the outstanding talent of their young players—some as young as five to eight years old—as well as the credibility of their coaches.
She said it serves as a proper platform for young athletes, offering them a pathway towards advanced training and even future professional careers.
“From June to August 2025, we will witness the true potential of Sarawak’s young footballers. Every match, every goal, and every moment will become part of Sarawak’s proud football legacy,” she added.
Also present were Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development (MYSED) permanent secretary and PYFCT 2025 advisor Morshidi Fredrick; PETRONAS Senior General Manager of Stakeholder Relation under Group Strategic Relation Communications, Khairuddin M Jaafar; and Sarawak Education Department assistant director Grace Sim Kai Luan. – DayakDaily
