Negeri Sembilan FC is pleased to announce that Under-20 Head Coach Norhafiz Zamani Misbah and three promising young players — Airiel Zafran Mohd Azrul (20), Aqil Faris Shalahudin (19), and Adam Haris Hamizon (21) — will travel to Gainare Tottori of Japan’s J3 League for a one-month training and trial programme beginning at the end of February.

During their time in Japan, the three players will undergo a structured assessment under Gainare Tottori’s academy coaching staff. Should they meet the required standards and criteria, they will be afforded the opportunity to train with the club’s senior squad — a significant step in their professional development pathway.

At the same time, Norhafiz Zamani Misbah will be embedded within Gainare Tottori’s first-team coaching structure, where he will gain first-hand exposure to advanced training methodologies, team management systems, and tactical frameworks practised within Japan’s highly disciplined and high-intensity professional football environment.

According to NSFC Chairman, Aminuddin Harun, the initiative is designed to elevate the quality of local youth players as part of preparations for this year’s SUKMA Games, while also opening the door for potential professional contracts in the J-League should the players meet the required benchmarks.

“This training and trial programme reflects NSFC’s serious commitment to building a sustainable and competitive youth development foundation. We cannot rely solely on short-term success; we must establish a strong structure for the future.

Our positive relationship with Gainare Tottori creates valuable opportunities for our players and coaches to experience Japan’s professional football ecosystem, renowned for its discipline and intensity.

I hope this opportunity is fully embraced — not only for personal growth, but to bring back new knowledge and standards that can elevate the quality of football in Negeri Sembilan.”

This initiative forms part of NSFC’s long-term strategy to nurture emerging talents as future pillars of the club’s Super League squad. Rather than focusing narrowly on immediate results, the club continues to invest in structured exposure, international benchmarking, and sustainable player progression.

NSFC has also affirmed that programmes of this nature will be implemented annually, involving different groups of young players as part of the club’s continuous development blueprint.

Through consistent international exposure and strategic partnerships, NSFC remains confident that local talents can be empowered to compete at higher levels — strengthening the club’s Super League ambitions while proudly representing Negeri Sembilan on a broader stage.