A shared love for football led a group of parents to come together and form a football club – Kelab Bola Sepak Zon Revolusi (KBZR).
Their aim was simple: To provide opportunities for talented players.
Formed in 2024, KBZR organised two seasonal training sessions last year – two-hour stints over three weekends. However, last week, the club raised the bar by organising a three-day, two-night ‘Train Like A Pro 2025 Football Camp’ for 23 aspiring footballers aged 13-17 from various football clubs and academies across the country. Among them were three female participants.
Of the 23, the Klang Valley-based club provided full sponsorship for three players, while four others received partial sponsorships. The selection was based on their family backgrounds, prioritising those from underprivileged families.
The programme was divided into gym work, tactical play, game analysis, teamwork, and tips on dealing with the media. There was also a talk by a Fifa-registered agent.
The camp was jointly organised by Asiana.my and Standard Fumigation.
Photographer Kamarul Akhir, who founded Asiana and is a member of KBZR, said: “My son plays rugby for his school. I became friendly with the other parents whose children play football.
“They wanted to provide their children with more training. The idea to form a club came during our teh tarik (tea) sessions.
“We decided, why not register a club and organise training sessions for other youngsters as well?”
“We got together, formed a pro-tem committee, and completed the necessary paperwork. Last year we had several training sessions, but this year, we wanted to offer something extra, so we opted for a three-day, two-night session where the players could experience what it’s like to be in camp for an away match.”
Kamarul added that KBZR’s president, Mohd Akbar Sulaiman, and patron, Sheikh Farouk Sheikh Mohamed Al Bajrai, worked tirelessly to make the development programme a success. The club plans to expand the ‘Train Like A Pro Football Camp’ beyond the Klang Valley.
The next camp is scheduled for the upcoming school holidays – May 25-June 9. Among the objectives of the camp are:
- To educate players on becoming better footballers.
- To provide experience in a professional training environment.
- To enhance skills from basic principles to advanced levels.
- To share knowledge and experiences with players, parents, coaches, and the community.
KBZR invited former FA of Malaysia-National Sports Council Project coach Noor Zaidi Rohmat to lead the sessions. He was assisted by six coaches – Mohd Azizan Mohd Ghazal, Muhammad Azhar Ishak, Fara Liana Zainuddin, Ameer Imran Muhammad Adib, Md Norzalizan Mahamad, and Azhar Dol.
“I’m extremely proud of the commitment shown by the participants. They displayed a strong sense of desire in developing their technical skills and tactical understanding of the game,” said Noor Zaidi.
“Emphasis was placed on attacking, defending, and transition principles. Through small-group training sessions, each participant received more focused attention, allowing them to enhance their individual skills and teamwork.
“Talks by football experts provided participants with new perspectives on the mental aspects and discipline required in this sport. We believe these elements are key to success in football, not only on the field but also in everyday life.”
Noor Zaidi said he was proud of the support from individuals and the private sector, which enabled the club to offer sponsorships to seven deserving participants.
“This is a positive step towards ensuring equal opportunities for everyone, especially those from less privileged backgrounds. Seeing the happiness and enthusiasm on their faces, I am confident that each participant will carry these experiences and lessons back to their clubs and communities,” he said.
“We hope that this camp will serve as a stepping stone for the future success of these children, both on and off the field. We look forward to running this programme regularly and witnessing more young talents emerge in our country.”
