Malaysian Director Candidly Explains the ‘Purge’ of 26 Football Coaches

Mr. Ong Kim Swee, Technical Director of the National Football Development Programme (NFDP), has clarified the administrative controversies surrounding the termination of contracts for 26 coaches, which stemmed from the incomplete transfer of the program from the National Sports Council (NSC) to the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM).

Mr. Kim Swee said he personally met with the affected personnel two weeks ago to verbally inform them about the status of their contracts.

“On my third working day, I visited the Mokhtar Dahari Academy (AMD). Two weeks ago, I met with both those whose contracts were extended and those who were not. My top priority was to apologize for the late notice, as I understood their contracts would expire at the end of the year.”Kim Swee shared.

He further explained that the contract terminations involved two distinct groups: “The state-level youth head coaches (KJRN) work under ‘service contracts’, so legally there is no obligation to give one month’s prior notice. A verbal notification is considered sufficient once the contract ends.”.

However, Kim Swee acknowledged that administrative processes are facing significant obstacles due to systemic changes. “Administratively, many issues remain unresolved because the transfer to FAM is still incomplete. Additionally, we recently experienced a change in the Youth and Sports Minister. Until the handover is finalized, we cannot implement everything as efficiently as desired. I admit there have been shortcomings, but currently these are beyond my and FAM’s control”.

Previously, Malaysian media reported that 26 coaches affiliated with NFDP and AMD were left in uncertainty after their contracts were terminated without official documentation. The affected coaches said they were only informed during a Google Meet session on December 15, causing many to worry about their livelihoods as the new year approached.

Kim Swee reiterated his commitment to resolving outstanding issues but emphasized that the full transfer of NFDP to FAM will require more time. He also clarified the new recruitment process, whereby head coaches will have autonomy in selecting their assistants through a technical committee.

Mr. Kim Swee was appointed by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) to the position of Technical Director with the goal of driving substantial change in Malaysian football, especially in youth development, which has been criticized for inefficiency over many years.

FAM leadership emphasized that Ong Kim Swee accepted the role fully aware of the scope of work,the level of resistance, and the inevitable consequences of reform. The departure of some long-serving coaches is not a purge or a rash decision, but a necessary step in rebuilding the national football development system.