Varnam Malaysia
  • Home
  • News
  • Celebrity
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Music
  • Trailers
  • Culture
No Result
View All Result
Varnam Malaysia
  • Home
  • News
  • Celebrity
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Music
  • Trailers
  • Culture
No Result
View All Result
Varnam Malaysia
No Result
View All Result
Home Sports

Datuk K. Rajagobal Pushes for Harimau Muda Revival to Nurture Young Malaysian Talent

by Tivyasruthi Nair Prem Ananth
July 30, 2025
Image source: Vocket FC

Image source: Vocket FC

10
SHARES
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSend

The once-prominent Harimau Muda programme, long discontinued, is now back in the spotlight as a proposed solution for Malaysia’s persistent challenges in developing young football talent. Its revival is being strongly advocated in the wake of the national Under-23 team’s disappointing early elimination from the recent AFF Championship in Indonesia.

Launched in 2007 by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and discontinued in 2015, the Harimau Muda programme nurtured a golden generation of players who went on to secure back-to-back SEA Games gold medals in 2009 and 2011. Many from that talented crop also formed the backbone of the national team that famously clinched the 2010 AFF Cup — now recognised as the ASEAN Cup.

Former Harimau Malaya head coach Datuk K. Rajagobal, a pivotal figure in the programme’s success, emphasised the need for young players to gain consistent exposure to top-tier competition.

“I firmly believe the authorities should seriously consider reviving the programme,” said Rajagopal, widely recognised as the most successful coach in Malaysia’s national team history.

Image source: Datuk Rajagobal X

“It started with the Under-16 and Under-18 squads at the sports school level. Our aim was to give them greater competitive exposure, and with the support of Datuk Redzuan Sheikh Ahmad and Khairy Jamaluddin, we were able to make it happen,” Rajagobal said.

He reminisced about Harimau Muda’s entry into the 2007–08 Malaysian Premier League, where they finished eighth in their debut season before going on to win the title in 2009, all without relying on foreign players.

“In 2009, we captured the SEA Games gold medal in Laos, followed by the 2010 AFF Cup triumph. Many of those players were also part of the squad that won gold again at the 2011 SEA Games in Indonesia. They went on to form the backbone of the national team for many years,” he added.

Related:  Malaysian Ace Sivasangari’s Run Ends in Qatar Classic Quarterfinals

Despite its achievements, the Harimau Muda programme was eventually discontinued, citing escalating operational costs, a dip in performance, challenges in integrating with the domestic league, and a strategic shift towards the National Football Development Programme (NFDP).

Image source: Datuk Rajagobal X

While supportive of its revival, Rajagobal acknowledged that running such a programme would be far from straightforward.

“The logistics and monitoring are not straightforward. These are young players, with some still in school, so a strong support system is essential. It’s not just about operations; adaptability and proper planning are crucial,” he explained.

On Monday, former national coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee also voiced his support for the idea, noting that young Malaysian players are no longer getting sufficient quality game time in the nation’s top-tier competitions.

As calls for the return of Harimau Muda grow louder, the debate now rests on whether Malaysia is ready to invest once again in a centralised youth development project of such scale. Supporters like Rajagobal and Ong believe it could be the catalyst to restore Malaysia’s footballing pride, but acknowledge that without careful planning, strong infrastructure, and sustainable funding, history could repeat itself. The decision lies with the football authorities and with the nation’s future talent hanging in the balance, the stakes could not be higher.

Source: NST

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news. 

Filed Under Datuk K. RajagobalFootballHarimau MudaMalaysian Premier Leaguesports
https://lomp.at/6cyrw
Share4Tweet3Send

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

Image Source: FMT
Sports

Sivasangari Shines Bright: Malaysian Squash Star Reaches Career-High World No.6

by Shivashangkari Chandran
October 21, 2025

Malaysian squash ace S.Sivasangari Subramaniam has reached a new milestone, climbing two rungs to a career-high world No.6 in the...

Read more
Image Source: NST
Sports

Pearly-Thinaah Fall Short Against Japanese Duo at Denmark Open

Malaysia’s top women’s doubles duo, Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah, saw their Denmark Open dream come to an end after...

Read more
by Kavitha
October 17, 2025
Image Source: Malay Mail
Sports

Pearly-Thinaah Off to a Strong Start at Denmark Open

Malaysia's top women doubles pair, Thinaah Muralitharan and Pearly Tan, continued their winning streak as they cruised into the second...

Read more
by Kavitha
October 16, 2025
Image Source: The Vibes
Sports

Sivasangari Advances to Silicon Valley Open Semi-Finals

Malaysia’s squash sensation S.Sivasangari continued her fine run of form by storming into the semi-finals of the US$130,500 Silicon Valley...

Read more
by Shivashangkari Chandran
October 15, 2025
Image Source: NST
Sports

Sivasangari Storms into Silicon Valley Open-Quarter Finals

Malaysia’s squash ace S.Sivasangari continued her impressive form on the international stage, cruising into the quarter-finals of the US130,500 Silicon...

Read more
by Shivashangkari Chandran
October 14, 2025
Image Source: Thinaah Instagram
Sports

Pearly and Thinaah Create History with Arctic Open Triumph

Malaysia’s top women’s doubles shuttlers, Pearly Tan and M.Thinaah made history once again after clinching the Arctic Open 2025 title...

Read more
by Shivashangkari Chandran
October 13, 2025
Image Source: NST
Sports

Pearly and Thinaah Storm Into Arctic Open Quarter-Finals

Malaysia’s women’s doubles shuttlers Pearly Tan and M.Thinaah continued their impressive form at the Arctic Open in Vantaa, Finland, cruising...

Read more
by Shivashangkari Chandran
October 10, 2025
Image Source: BERNAMA
Sports

Thinaah and Pearly Advance Round of 16 at Arctic Open 2025

Malaysia’s badminton aces, Thinaah Muralitharan and Pearly Tan, have advanced to the Round of 16 at the Arctic Open 2025 after...

Read more
by Kavitha
October 8, 2025
Image Source: NST
Sports

Sharmendran Sees K1 Series A as a Platform to Prepare Athletes for SEA Games

National Team Head Coach R. Sharmendran described the Karate 1 (K1) Series A as a crucial platform to evaluate his...

Read more
by Kavitha
October 7, 2025
Image Source: The Vibe
Sports

Malaysian Ace Sivasangari’s Run Ends in Qatar Classic Quarterfinals

Renowned Malaysian squash ace S. Sivasangari saw her impressive run at the Qatar Classic 2025 come to an end after...

Read more
by Kavitha
October 3, 2025
Load More

TRENDING

  1. 1

    Light Up Your Deepavali At The Exchange TRX’s Art Of Radiance Celebration

  2. 2

    The Origins Of The Indian Oil Bath Tradition On Deepavali Morning

  3. 3

    Penang CM Announces New Land Allocation for Rajaji Tamil School

  4. 4

    “Dharma MADANI” Programme: RM20,000 Aid for 1,000 Hindu Temples

  5. 5

    Deepavali 2025 Ads That Warm the Heart and Remind Us What the Festival Truly Means

  • Advertise With Us
  • Jobs
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy

© 2025 Vijandren Ramadass. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Celebrity
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Music
  • Trailers
  • Culture

© 2025 Vijandren Ramadass. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Celebrity
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Music
  • Trailers
  • Culture

© 2025 Vijandren Ramadass. All Rights Reserved.