Kota Kinabalu: Sabah’s Petronella Douny has been appointed head coach of the Malayan Tigress Under-17 squad by Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) on Wednesday.
The 36-year-old Kota Kinabalu City Hall employee is the only female coach in Malaysia who holds an AFC/FAM A Coaching Licence.
In a statement released by the national body, the appointment was made in line with FAM’s vision to further empower women’s football by building a national women’s football squad made up of all women.
FAM Technical Director Scott O’Donell praised Petronella for her continuous commitment in the development of women football in Sabah, and also her ability and credibility as coach for the Malayan Tigress Under-18 squad at the AFF Women’s Under-18 Championship campaign in Palembang, Indonesia last year.
“I hope the appointment of Petronella will open a new chapter for women’s football in the country, and provide inspiration and motivation for women out there to work in the coaching field,” he said.
Malayan Tigress senior squad’s head coach Soleen Al-Zoubi said the appointment was a good start not only for the national squad but also for the domestic Malaysian women’s football competition.
“Me and Petronella always communicate and discuss training sessions and development programmes together.
“Her experience as a former national player from 2002 to 2009 can certainly help in shaping the young players in her squad,” she added.
Meanwhile, Sabah Football Association (Safa) welcomed the appointment of Petronella in a statement released on the same day.
Its secretary general, Dato’ Jelani Hamdan, said it was a tribute to the football community and the people in Sabah.
“The appointment has proved that Safa’s effort in the development of football in the State not only to produce quality players but also to create capable coaches is on the right track.
“It was our long term strategy to send Petronella for the AFC/FAM Licence A coaching course, and more recently Jelius Ating in the Pro A Licence coaching course so that Sabah has a local coach qualified to manage Super League teams in the future.
“In addition, we also plan to hold more courses for referees to improve their level of professionalism,” he said.
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