Negeri Sembilan FC Chief Executive Officer Faliq Firdaus has shared a heartfelt reflection on the evolution of football development in Negeri Sembilan, highlighting both the challenges of the past and the promising pathway being built today for the next generation of players.

In a personal message, Faliq reflected on his own school days playing football, recalling how talented players from his generation often struggled to progress due to limited opportunities and a fragmented development structure.

“Back in school, I played football too, though I wasn’t as good as many of my friends. What was sad was that even the talented ones couldn’t go far because the opportunities simply weren’t there,” he said.

According to Faliq, the core issue during that era was not talent but the lack of a structured development system. Young players found it difficult to gain enough competitive exposure, often relying heavily on the Majlis Sukan Sekolah-Sekolah Daerah (MSSD) pathway, which offered limited continuity.

“To even get 30 competitive matches a year was difficult. Training would go on for months, then you would only play in a one-week tournament. There was no continuity,” he explained.

Progress in the Development Structure

Faliq noted that the football landscape has changed significantly over the years, with club-based development pathways now emerging alongside the national and school systems. However, he acknowledged that the ecosystem is still evolving and requires greater coordination among stakeholders.

“Today, the situation is different. Club pathways now exist, including elite club pathways linked to the Liga Super. But the system is still maturing, and many stakeholders are still working in silos,” he said.

He emphasised that improving the system will take time but remains essential if Malaysian football — and Negeri Sembilan in particular — is to produce more high-quality players.

Young Talents Representing Negeri Sembilan in Japan

Faliq also expressed pride in seeing three young players from Negeri Sembilan earn the opportunity to train and undergo trials in Japan, describing it as a moment that symbolises how far the development pathway has progressed.

The trio — a player from Rembau, another from Labu, and one from Kuantan — are currently spending a month in Japan, carrying the name of Negeri Sembilan while gaining valuable international exposure.

“For me personally, I’m proud because these younger players are getting opportunities that many of us never had before,” he said.

If they perform well and receive the right opportunities, the players could potentially continue their development in Japan — a prospect that once seemed like a distant dream for many young Malaysian footballers.

“They are living our dreams,” he added.

Strengthening the Negeri Sembilan Development Pipeline

To ensure long-term sustainability, Faliq emphasised that Negeri Sembilan must continue strengthening its own grassroots and development systems.

He hopes that in the future, players representing the club internationally will increasingly come from the Sekolah Sukan Negeri Sembilan (SSN) system, signalling that the state is producing talent through its own structured development pipeline.

To improve the quality of training at SSN, Negeri Sembilan FC will place an AFC A-Licence coach within the school programme, starting with the Under-17 squad, with another coach set to work with the Under-14 team by 2027.

The initiative is part of a collaborative effort between the club and the Negeri Sembilan State Education Department (JPNNS).

“I would like to thank the school principal and JPNNS for welcoming this idea. We are combining resources for the benefit of Negeri Sembilan,” he said.

Building a Complete Football Ecosystem

Beyond elite development, NSFC is also focusing on expanding grassroots opportunities and strengthening the football ecosystem across the state.

The club will soon participate in the FAM National Youth League, competing in the Under-12 and Under-15/16 categories, further providing competitive exposure for young players.

At the same time, Faliq emphasised the importance of community clubs in nurturing talent.

“Clubs like Bunga Raya FC and Teck Hin FC must continue to grow. This is an ecosystem, and everyone plays a role,” he said.

He also confirmed that the Negeri Sembilan Football Symposium will return this year as part of ongoing efforts to bring together stakeholders to discuss the future of football development in the state.

Expanding Grassroots Opportunities

As part of its grassroots commitment, NSFC has also launched the NSFC Football School in Seremban, targeting boys and girls aged 7 to 12 years old.

Parents are encouraged to enrol their children, with the club aiming to expand the programme to other districts across Negeri Sembilan after establishing a strong foundation in Seremban.

“Once Seremban is established, we will expand to other districts,” Faliq said.

A Collective Journey Forward

Faliq concluded by emphasising that football development in Negeri Sembilan requires collaboration between clubs, schools, associations, and community academies.

Only through a united ecosystem, he said, can the state continue producing players capable of competing at higher levels while proudly carrying the name of Negeri Sembilan.

“It’s an ecosystem. We must move forward together,” he said.