It was a fabulous 2011 for Kyaw Ko Ko. His exploits for club and country has seen the star striker’s reputation soar among football fans in Myanmar. Not to mention too the several ‘ayes’ he received from coaches in and around the region.
His scoring feat in the Myanmar National League (MNL) was well documented with the ten goals he scored for Zeyar Shwe Myay (ZYSM) FC in the 2011 season. But it was on the international stage that he shone through with his hard work and ability in front of goal.
At the 26th SEA Games in Jakarta in November 2011, Ko Ko played a crucial role for Myanmar with the five goals that he scored throughout the campaign which also included one he scored in the 4-1 demolition of Vietnam that allowed them to go home with the bronze medal. His commitment to the game has made his name almost synonymous with Myanmar football at the moment.
Following his fabulous year in 2011 where his ZYSM team finished third at the end of the season, it has resulted in Ko Ko being awarded the Myanmar Football Federation MFF (MFF) Player of the Year in a glittering ceremony held just last month.
Ko Ko got the top gong on the night, collecting USD3000, ahead of Thiha Sithu, goalkeeper of Ayarwaddy FC and Yan Aung Kyaw of Yangon United FC. But in spite of winning the top award, Ko Ko remained steadfastly modest.
“Just as (Lionel) Messi got FIFA’s Best Player award because his team mates, Iniesta and Xavi, are quality players and support him, I also got this award because my team mates are the best in Myanmar and we have such a good combination,” he said.
Ko Ko, who hails from from Mandalay, started playing football at the tender age of 11-years-old. He quickly became consumed with the sport, and by grade eight he got a chance to attend the Physical Education Institute in Mandalay while continuing his basic education.
After three years at the institute, he went on to join the Ministry of Sport football team, first playing for a year at the ministry in Naypyidaw and then in Yangon for another year. Before the MNL pro-league was established in 2009, football teams were mostly made up from each of the government ministries.
When the pro-league started in 2009, he transferred to his present club ZYSM, due to the friendship between Major Thein Aung, Minister for Sport, and U Thu Rein, owner of ZYSM FC. Ko Ko admitted that he does not have a favourite club which he supported even as a youngster where his preference was to look at individual players instead.
This he said allowed him to analyse the skill of the individual players rather than following a team which does not really teach him anything. He does however have an idol he looks up to for his skill and technique.
“My favourite footballer is Ronaldinho. I think he is even better than Messi as Messi doesn’t have as much footballing skill as Ronaldinho,” added Ko Ko.
“Ronaldinho’s tricks are great and his dribbling very neat. He seems to treat the ball so lightly and easily. I like his style of playing.”
In as far as liking footballers from Myanmar were concerned, Ko Ko said that he liked watching former Myanmar striker Soe Myat Min and central midfielder Aung Kyaw Moe in action.
Now at 21-years-old, Ko Ko said that he is fortunate not to sustain any serious injury throughout his playing career thus far which in turn has allowed him to continually focus on his development and reach a high level of play at a young age. Nevertheless, he still feels there are many aspects of his game which needed improvement.
“I still need to work on a lot of things. My speed and movement is not good enough yet, although I try hard to keep up with the best players,” he quipped.
The lack of infrastructure is still keenly felt in the Myanmar football scene. There are no football field near his dormitory for the kind of continuous practice needed in professional football. However, there is a gym in the dormitory that he uses to build strength.
But in spite of the many constraints in Myanmar football, Ko Ko is happy to offer support to the younger generation of players, giving his time and adding star quality to their training.
After the SEA games tournament, rumours quickly circulated that he would be called up to play for an overseas club with the latest being his expected trials with Bundesliga side FC Nuremberg.
One upshot of the rumours surrounding his transfer has been ZYSM increasing his salary to MKYT 1,500,000 (USD2,000)per month on a year’s contract. Adept at playing in different positions, Kyaw Ko Ko has more recently been called on to play on the wings for his club.
Compared to his freer role in the national team, he finds it more constraining to work for the team with ZYSM. But with the added training and skill it offers to his game, he feels there is only more to come.
SOURCE: Myanmar Times
