KUALA TERENGGANU: Malaysian football players taking up overseas contracts must adapt fast to their new environment, said Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek.

Lauding the move by Harimau Muda A players Wan Zaharulnizam Wan Zakaria and Wan Zack Haikal Wan Nor to play for FC Ryukyu in Japan in April, he said they must be prepared for homesickness, missing home cooked food, a different climate, new people, new languages and culture in order to discharge themselves well.

 “It needs a certain amount of mental strength for the players to ply their trade in a completely different environment. They must adapt fast,” he told reporters here yesterday.

Short stint: Muhammad Nazmi Faiz Mansor left Beira Mar to join PKNS.

 The duo, both aged 22, have been offered two-year contracts directly by the club without the involvement of any agents.

 The minister’s reminder comes in the wake of another Malaysian player, Muhammad Nazmi Faiz Mansor, 19, who recently left Portuguese Premier League club Beira Mar only six months into his three-year contract to join local Super League club Selangor PKNS.

 Shabery added that Malaysian football players going overseas to ply their trade was a very positive development for the country and a source of pride for Malaysians. — Bernama

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