BY: ERMIZI MUHAMAD
SHAH ALAM, OCT 6: He just turned six, but no one expected Ehsan Rasidin Amri to bring Malaysia international success.
Selected to join the Manchester City Academy, it is not impossible for him to one day become a leading professional player.
Football was an interest he developed on his own, never forced upon him. In fact, Ehsan asks to be allowed to practise with any club during weekends.
Although only five at that time, his father Rasidin Amri Amir, 44, did not hesitate in sending him to the Timperley Football Club not far from their house.
“After three weeks at the club, Ehsan was selected to play for the Sunday League.
“In his first Sunday League game, a Manchester City talent scout who was present saw how he played,” a news portal reported.
Ehsan was then selected as best player for the club in the 6-year-old category, defeating other local children.
It was based on that that the Manchester City talent scout convinced Rasidin that Ehsan had talent and should be coached by a professional in the sport.
“He tried to convince me that Ehsan needed professional coaching by joining the Manchester City Academy.
“But actually we didn’t need convincing as both me and Ehsan are ardent fans of Manchester City.
“He asked for our address, telephone number and e-mail and said that Ehsan would receive an offer letter from Manchester City Academy later, which really did happen last June,” said the proud father from Batu Pahat, Johor.
Manchester City Academy has produced world-class football players like Shaun Wright-Phillips, Stephen Ireland, Micah Richards, Michael Johnson and Nedum Onuoha.
This is certainly a good development for football in the country; to produce young talent who can perform in the international arena.
The boy who made Malaysia proud
