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KUALA LUMPUR − Cyberlynx International College − Malaysia’s only college offering a Diploma in Football Studies − has teamed up with English Premier League (EPL) side Southampton to offer professional football development programmes to its students.
This follows its signing today as Southampton Football Club’s International Academy Partner in Malaysia.
All students in Cyberlynx − irrespective of the courses they study − will have free access to its professional football development programme within the Cyberlynx Football Club, more popularly known as Cyberlynx FC.
Cyberlynx managing director Datuk Nathan Mahalingam said: “We chose Southampton as they have one of the best football academies in the United Kingdom with a focus on football training and education similar to what Cyberlynx is trying to achieve in Malaysia.
“Our coaches and students will benefit greatly from the years of knowledge and expertise that Southampton have amassed in producing top-level football players for many of the top teams in the world,” he told Bernama today.
“This partnership will bring football education in Malaysia to a new level and is also in line with our plans to develop pathways for our outstanding players to train and play overseas,” he said.
Cyberlynx International College offers a range of diploma courses in the areas of sports, business, IT as well as law and enforcement.
The college, established in 2006, offers the Diploma in Football Studies as its signature programme and is also the only college that offers such a programme in Southeast Asia.
Nathan said that many might not be aware that Southampton operate one of the most successful and best professional football academies in the UK with focus on player development and education.
The partnership will see Southampton’s Academy supporting Cyberlynx’s professional football development and education programmes in Malaysia.
He said that students could now have access to the latest international coaching methods and techniques without having to leave Malaysia.
However, he said there was also an option for students to pursue a degree with Cynerlynx’s partner universities − University of Bedfordshire and University of Middlesex − in the UK.
“We are developing a corps of educated footballers,” said Nathan.
Mark Abrahams, Southampton’s director of business and community development, said in a statement: “We’re looking forward to working with Cyberlynx over the coming years as it is an organisation that recognises the power of sport and, in particular, football.
“There’s has been a natural synergy between both parties since we began discussions as we have a shared purpose and expertise in developing young people to fulfil their potential,” he said.
The partnership will see a range of opportunities for Cyberlynx staff, students and the wider community to engage with Southampton’s renowned coach and player development programme.
Areas of focus include access to the highly-regarded Southampton player development curriculum and the Southampton e-Learning Programme, as well as the club’s Academy staff visiting Malaysia to conduct football clinics for young players and masterclasses for coaches when travel corridors open up and it is safe to travel.
Southampton − also known as The Saints − are now in 14th position in the EPL, having drawn 1-1 with Tottenham Hotspur last week. – Bernama, January 6, 2022