World · Malaysia Bureau
Malaysia should emulate Japan's community sports clubs model, says MP
Machang Member of Parliament suggests adopting Japan's approach to developing grassroots football talent, citing the international success of players like Liverpool's Wataru Endo.
LSN Malaysia ·
A Malaysian lawmaker has called on the country to follow Japan's model of community-based sports clubs as a means of nurturing homegrown football talent at the grassroots level.
Machang MP pointed to Japan's successful system, which has produced internationally competitive players including Wataru Endo, the Japanese midfielder currently playing for English Premier League club Liverpool.
The legislator argued that Japan's emphasis on community sports clubs has created a sustainable pipeline for developing young footballers, allowing talent to emerge from local neighbourhoods rather than relying solely on formal club structures.
The proposal comes amid ongoing discussions in Malaysia about improving youth development programmes and creating pathways for aspiring athletes to reach professional levels. Japanese football's rise in recent decades has been attributed in part to its robust community club infrastructure, which provides accessible training opportunities for children and adolescents.
Policymakers in Malaysia have increasingly looked to international models as the country seeks to strengthen its sporting capabilities and produce more world-class athletes across various disciplines.