Tottenham Hotspur Football Development Lands in Malaysia – July 5th

The Asia launch of the Tottenham Hotspur Football Development Programme was held at the British International School Malaysia and was represented by ex captain and Tottenham legend Gary Mabbutt, head of Football Development, Mark Jones and Academy coach Miles Leighton.

Mabbutt, who played over 600 games for Tottenham between 1982 -1998, fighting adversity by playing football at the highest level with type-1 diabetes, expressed excitement in unlocking the football potential in Asia. He also commented, ‘it would be great to see the first Malaysian in the English Premier League playing for Tottenham.

The experience is open to individuals, teams and coaches. It offers a great opportunity for Asian footballers aged 10-18, across all regions, to experience professional football training at its highest level in the UK. Participants will not only learn the physical aspects of training and playing at the highest level of football, they will also gain an invaluable insight into the psychology involved in playing in the EPL along with the necessary dietary and nutritional requirements.

With a focus on improving the standard of Asian football at a grass roots level, trips will now be ran to the UK to the official Football Development Academy. Managed and operated by Tottenham Hotspur training staff,

In Malaysia, the British International School Kuala Lumpur (BISKL) is the first of many institutions throughout the Asia region to distinguish itself by offering one of the world’s best Academy experiences to its students. Through this programme, official Tottenham coaches will travel to Malaysia to BISKL, at the school football will develop at an EPL standard from a grass-roots level, driving the success of Malaysian football for years to come.

To commemorate the occassion one scholarship to the programme was presented to BISKL by Robert Teasdale of Football Focus Asia for one talented student to be chosen by the school.