New NFDP technical director Datuk Ong Kim Swee aims to close the gap with Southeast Asian teams and qualify for AFC and FIFA youth tournaments.
KUALA LUMPUR: Newly appointed National Football Development Programme (NFDP) technical director Datuk Ong Kim Swee has set a mission to develop grassroots football.
His focus is on closing the performance gap with Southeast Asian teams before targeting Asian and world-level competition.
Kim Swee said the aspiration could only be achieved through systematic short-, medium- and long-term planning.
“The short-term target is to ensure that we are on the right track, especially by not allowing the gap with Southeast Asian teams to become too wide,” he said in a video shared by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM).
He added that within one to three years, the goal is to qualify for the AFC Under-17 Asian Cup.
The subsequent main goal is to qualify for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in the future.
The technical aspects of football development at NFDP have now been taken over by FAM.
A total of 198 trainees aged between 13 and 17 began the 2026 session with their first training at the Mokhtar Dahari National Football Academy in Gambang, Pahang.
Kim Swee stressed the role of coaches as the most critical element in ensuring holistic, phased development.
He emphasised development without pressure for immediate results to safeguard players’ long-term potential.
He believes the extensive experience of the existing coaching line-up can provide significant added value.
This is particularly in shaping teenage players who are better prepared both technically and mentally.
“And this process will certainly take some time, and with the presence of experienced coaches, it will definitely provide a different impact for me,” he said.
He noted that the coaches have previously been with youth teams and some have strong track records.
