PETALING JAYA: The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) are ready to take over full responsibility of the National Football Development Programme ( DP) from the National Sports Council (NSC).

Acting FAM president Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mahadi said as the sport’s governing body, FAM are responsible for the programme and are ready to take it to a higher level and produce more quality youth players.

“Although faced with several constraints and challenges, including funding issues, FAM are prepared to take over the DP if asked to do so,” said Yusoff in a statement.

“As the governing body, FAM are more than ready to play a bigger role in football’s grassroots development in the country.”

Yusoff’s was responding to former Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin’s statement that the DP should remain under the purview of the NSC as FAM are not ready to assume full responsibility.

Khairy cautioned FAM that they must first demonstrate financial capability before taking over the programme, and that state associations need to be prepared for such responsibilities.

Yusoff said he welcomes all views and criticisms from any party for the betterment of Malaysian football.

“All such criticisms can serve as guidance for us to improve the DP.

“What’s important is that we collectively gather positive input to raise the standard and quality of the programme,” said Yusoff.

Yusoff added that having the DP under the purview of FAM would be in line with Asian Football Confederation (AFC) general secretary Datuk Windsor John’s comments, stating that football development should be FAM’s responsibility.

“Indeed, football development falls under FAM. We cannot have two entities managing the same matter; otherwise, there will be misalignment,” added Yusoff.