AN AIR OF EXCITEMENT IN MYANMAR FOOTBALL: HAMMAM

Hammam’s visit to Yangon started on Saturday and after meetings with the Myanmar Football Federation (MFF) officials he expressed his confidence that Myammar football is moving in the right direction and the AFC Cup should be the next target for their clubs.

“The potential for Myanmar football is there. I can say that the road is now open for them to participate in the AFC Cup,” said Hammam.

“However, Myanmar clubs have to fulfil the high criteria set by the AFC, they need to work hard to improve facilities, structures, organisation, leagues, marketing strategies and other areas.”

After a visit to the MFF, which is also the first FIFA GOAL Project Building, Hammam met with MFF President Zaw Zaw who unveiled an ambitious plan including that of building two stadiums (30,000 capacity each) to further develop football in the country.

Football has been played in Myanmar for over one hundred years, the first national competition having been held in 1895 and the first division established in 1900.

It took until 16 May 2009, however, for the first match between professional clubs to be organised in Myanmar. The very first professional match in the history of Myanmar football was played between Zayar Shwe Myay FC and Yangon United FC in Yangon and attracted 29,000 spectators.

On 17 March 2009, the MFF, the league and the clubs reached an agreement on the regulations, organisation and season of the Myanmar National League (MNL).

That certainly mark the new start of the MFF, in particular the Myanmar league, which had progressed from an amateur league to a professional league that now attracts large crowds.

The MNL replaced the Myanmar Premier League, which consisted only of 14 Yangon-based football clubs, with eight professional clubs representing different regions across the nation. The league has added three clubs for the 2010 season, bringing the total to eleven clubs.

In the first season of the MNL, stadiums registered an average attendance of 13,000 spectators, and the first champions, Yadanarbon FC, who qualified to the final of the AFC President’s Cup 2010 in their debut, received a triumphant reception from their local fans.

Acknowledging the enormous efforts of the MFF, Hammam pointed out that the next challenge for them would be to consolidate their clubs, and in the long run, the national team, in order for them to compete against Asia’s elites.

“I am happy with the effort made by the MFF under the leadership of President Zaw Zaw. Myanmar football standards are on the up in the last two to three years and MFF have no doubt played a major role in this rapid development.

“Progress is in place for Myanmar football, from the players to referees and so on. The re-launched MNL is a success in terms of both the playing standard, competition format and also the attendance. I must congratulate MFF for their tremendous effort.

“The next challenges for the MFF are to promote the professional management of clubs, to develop the standard of elite football by participating in the higher level such as the AFC Cup.

“I have absolutely no doubt that the MFF, under the guidance of President Zaw Zaw, will be able to accomplish this task.” he said.