A number of football associations in Malaysia do not have the knowledge of conducting tests and medicals which should be carried out on foreign players who are on the verge of signing.
In fact, they have never used the services of a few agencies such as the National Sports Institute (ISN), MARA University of Technology (UiTM) and University of Science Malaysia (USM) that have the equipment and expertise for medical check-ups on foreign players.
The foreign players are asked to undergo a brief health test, similar to the tests carried out as a prerequisite for the application of government and private sector employees.
This was admitted by Football Coaches Association Malaysia (PJBSM) president B. Sathianathan, who claimed that many medical tests have been carried out by private doctors, and they only perform simple tests like checking blood pressure and heart rate.
“Medical check-ups for football players must cover all aspects, such as the condition of the muscles, ligaments and the rest of the body to ensure that they are in tip-top shape.
“The management chooses to take the easy way out and not get involved in the development of the foreign player’s injury as well as his medical history.
“That is why the foreign players suffer an injury after playing only two or three games, because of the recklessness of the management,” Sathianathan said to Berita Harian.
The former national team coach also said that the tests are simple because the football associations would be worried if their players that go through the test fail in the end.
“Health tests which are too detailed will cause the foreign players’ ‘secrets’ to be revealed and eventually they will fail. In the end, they do not feature for that team,” he added.
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