Safiq Rahim’s new football academy in Ampang attracts 40 players

Former national captain Safiq Rahim’s new football academy in Ampang was built around sharing the knowledge and experience he had gained throughout his career.

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Malaysia international Safiq Rahim is giving back to the community through his new SR8 KL football academy at the Ulu Klang Recreation Club (UKRC) field in Ampang.

The new academy has attracted 40 players after just one month of operation.

The academy is part of Safiq’s effort to develop young footballers while passing on the knowledge and experience he gained during his playing career.

The former Harimau Malaya captain said Ampang was chosen because of its central location in the Klang Valley, allowing the academy to reach communities in Gombak, Cheras and Ampang.

“UKRC is in the centre of Kuala Lumpur, so we can cover the surrounding areas. It’s a one-stop centre,” Safiq said.

“The venue’s facilities, including the football pitch, hall and smaller training field, made it a suitable base for the academy.

“From a footballer’s perspective, it’s about the pitch itself. It’s not about whether the turf is good or not, but about the facilities available to us. I think UKRC is the best option for us to use for now.”

Safiq also praised the club for its cooperation and support for the academy.

The Ampang centre is the fourth SR8 academy location, joining Elmina, Universiti Malaya and Serdang. A new centre in Putrajaya is also planned.

Across the four locations, SR8 now has nearly 170 young players. Elmina has more than 90, while Universiti Malaya has around 20, with Serdang recording a similar number.

Safiq said the academy is about more than simply teaching football skills.

“We’re not focused solely on technical skills. We also emphasise the theory side,” he said.

The midfielder said the programme was built around sharing the knowledge and experience he and other former players had gained throughout their careers.

“It’s about true experience, the real experience that we have, and we want to give something back in terms of doing good.”

Safiq was speaking on the sidelines of the launch of this year’s UKRC International Soccer 9s tournament.

Defending champions Melwood Boys FC of Kuala Lumpur will return to defend their title and will be joined by Bangkok Bitcoin FC of Thailand.

The other teams are Penang Sports Club, Interact Recreation Club Negeri Sembilan, Malacca Club Veterans, Malaysian Grasshoppers and UKRC Veterans, with an eighth team yet to be confirmed.

The two-day tournament will be held at the UKRC field on Sept 5 and 6.

First staged in 2001, the tournament was forced to move to other venues during UKRC’s 22-year struggle to regain control of its football field from the Selangor government.

The club finally secured recognition of its rights to the field in February 2022. UKRC took back control of the ground from the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council in November 2022 and began the task of restoring the playing surface.

The competition has traditionally brought together veteran players from Malaysia and overseas, with an emphasis on fellowship and community as well as football.

Previous editions have featured teams from Singapore, Indonesia and Australia, alongside clubs from across Malaysia. Bangkok Bitcoin FC will provide the tournament’s international presence this year.

UKRC president Brendan Lee said the tournament’s return was also part of an effort to revive activities at the club, including the reintroduction of its junior football programme.

“It is also a special moment for me, as my late father, fondly known as Uncle Lee, was a permanent fixture at the club throughout his life,” said Lee.

“He would be delighted to see that the tournament is still going strong after all these years and that we are back on our home turf.”

Lee said the eight teams will be divided into two groups of four, with the top two from each group advancing to the Trophy competition. The remaining four sides will contest the Plate competition.

UKRC International Soccer 9s tournament past winners2001: Dewan Bandaraya Ipoh2002: Kulim Club, Kedah2003: Jollylads FC, Singapore2004: Bharat FC, Singapore2005: Gardens FC, Singapore2006: Royal Selangor Club, Kuala Lumpur2007: Royal Selangor Club, Kuala Lumpur2008: Kurnia Kwarta FC, Indonesia2009: Royal Selangor Club, Kuala Lumpur2010: Kurnia, Medan, Indonesia2011: Pertamina Albatross2012-2013: No tournament2014: Kwarta, Medan, Indonesia2015: Kwarta, Medan, Indonesia2016: Kwarta, Medan, Indonesia2017: HTC SC, Kuala Lumpur2018: HTC SC, Kuala Lumpur2019: Bintang Timur, Indonesia2020-2023: No tournament2024: STG, Kuala Lumpur2025: Melwood Boys FC, Kuala Lumpur