SHAH ALAM, Oct 27 — The Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) will assist and support the Malaysian American Football Association (Mafa) in developing flag football in preparation for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, United States, qualification.
Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Adam Adli Abdul Halim said his office will hold discussions with the National Sports Council, Mafa, and related parties to plan the best method to promote the sport.
Therefore, the organisation of the Asia-Oceania Flag Football Continental Championship, which started today, can be a yardstick for KBS to design suitable programmes and assess the needs and support given to the sport.
“If we develop well and give all the necessary support, we have the potential to qualify for the 2028 Olympic Games. I am confident that Mafa and other friends in Asia have a healthy enough community to develop together, and KBS will help and support as best as possible,” he told the press after officiating the Asia-Oceania Flag Football tournament today.
Meanwhile, Mafa president Mohd Shahmil Bahari said he is confident that if the national flag football team is given enough exposure, the sport will be able to go far and is now also planning various programmes to intensify the development of the sport at the grassroots level.
“In the tournaments we participated in before, the national team often made it to the finals. With the help from KBS, it is not impossible for us to go further.
“We need to increase the number of activities related to (the sport) so more know about it, and we can produce more players,” he said.
The Asia-Oceania Flag Football Championship, which takes place today until Sunday (October 29), has the participation of 11 countries, including Thailand, Australia, India, and New Zealand.
— Bernama
