Anwar said the government consistently encouraged the development of football. However, emphasis should be placed on infrastructure as a fundamental aspect in advancing the sport.

“This is an opportunity for us to elevate the status of national football, but it has to start from the basics,” he said, calling for collaboration with the education ministry or other training institutes.

“It’s not just about funding, but adequate infrastructure is crucial – proper fields, training facilities, training academies – to ensure our children are trained well and in comfort,” he said at KLFA’s golden jubilee celebration here today.

Anwar also urged that sportsmanship be preserved, including proper conduct among supporters, who at times behaved beyond acceptable limits and tarnished the spirit of unity.

“There are groups of supporters that can sometimes get out of control… Losing does not mean the team should be ridiculed,” he said.

He said he had instructed the police to monitor and control incidents that could harm the image of national football. He reminded football associations that they should ensure that sportsmanship and unity is upheld among supporters and players.