Bintang Biru captain Muhammad Imran Hakimi Zamri is looking to emulate brother Muhammad Adam Nadzmi’s success after making the Northern Region team that will compete at the Allianz Junior Football Camp (AJFC) Grand Finals on 6 July.
The 16-year-old midfielder led his team to the AJFC Malaysia League Northern Region title after beating defending champions KBB Allstar FC 1-0 in the final at the Stadium Olahraga USM, in Penang on Saturday.
Last year, his brother Adam also represented the Northern Region in the Grand Finals. He was one of 10 players to earn a spot at the Allianz Explorer Camp – Football Edition in Singapore. The 17-year-old is set to join the prestigious British International School in Phuket, Thailand on a two-year scholarship, something Imran hopes to emulate in the near future.
“I am so happy with the win because this validates all the hard work we put in. Plus, I get to make my father happy. He has been the driving force, pushing my brother and me towards our goal. Winning the league title and making the Top 18 is the best way I can repay him for his efforts. Next, my focus will be on the performing well at the Grand Finals,” said Imran who was also named Man of the Match in the final.
Imran’s father, Zamri Sulaiman said: “As a parent, I want my sons to live out their passion. I never played football, so I put in a lot of effort. I attended seminars and courses to gain knowledge just so I can help them get them onto the right path towards becoming good footballers. And now that Adam is already on track, my focus is on Imran and helping him to get onto the same path”.
Following Saturday’s final, the Northern Region named its best 18 players who will represent the region in the Grand Finals at the Arena Majlis Perbandaran Subang Jaya (MPSJ), Subang Jaya from 4 to 6 July. At the Grand Finals, the players will be looking to impress AJFC Malaysia League selection panel headed by K. Gunalan to become one of 10 players selected to participate in the Allianz Explorer Camp – Football Edition in Singapore from 23 to 26 July. In Singapore, the players will face their final test. Only two Malaysians will be selected to join the Allianz Explorer Camp – Football Edition in Munich, Germany from 22 to 27 August and train with FC Bayern Munich’s youth coaches at the team’s training ground at Säbener Strasse.
