Football is capturing the minds of Malaysian youth with unprecedented force. Success stories of professional players inspire teenagers one after another, and mass programs create infrastructure for future stars. Dk88 and other sports brands actively support the development of football in the country, helping talents break through to the international arena.
Dion Cools opened the path for Malaysian players to Japan
The right-back of the national team signed a contract with the club “Cerezo Osaka,” entering history as the first Malaysian footballer in J-League One. For the 29-year-old player, this milestone goes beyond personal achievements – he wants to show young athletes at home that it’s possible to break through, compete, and succeed at the world level.
Cools’ career path is impressive:
- Performances in Belgium, Thailand, and Denmark prepared the defender for the challenges of the Japanese league of the highest level.
- Two matches in J-League and one in the Emperor’s Cup for “Cerezo” are already on the Malaysian’s record.
- The atmosphere in the club is structured down to the smallest details, where discipline and attention to details have become second nature.
- Training and match preparation are designed to help players improve every day physically and mentally.
- Adidas sponsorship supports the defender’s career and opens opportunities for participation in youth programs.
Cools’ story proves: Malaysian footballers are capable of competing with the best Asian leagues if they receive proper training and opportunities.
Mass football literally exploded youth interest in sports
It all starts with mass football – Cools is convinced of the power of grassroots programs. Initiatives went through hundreds of schools and communities like a tank: the Adidas Malaysia Girls Football Program involved thousands of girls in the game, the event with “Manchester United” united international and local players for training young talents, and the energy on the field charged children with belief in the reality of their dream. At a critical stage, these programs crushed stereotypes about the inaccessibility of professional sports and reached the finals in audience reach.
