Maxim Events, a company linked to the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), which organised the tournament, attributed some of the shortcomings to the issue of costs.
The parents who spoke to FMT claimed that some players were carrying forged identification documents to enable them to play in younger age groups.
“Teams that lie about a player’s age get an unfair advantage. Their players are often of bigger build and intimidating to their smaller opponents,” one parent said.
They want FAM to ensure that the grassroots football development programme, for children aged six to 18, is properly supervised “before things get out of hand”.
One parent also spoke of coaches, other parents and players using racial slurs, leaving the victims traumatised.
“This points to a serious lack of oversight and enforcement, raising more concerns about the environment that these children are competing in,” he said.
The parent warned that such practices will affect football development in Malaysia.
Sweltering heat
The weather is another concern.
Some parents said even six-year-olds have been forced to play under the hot sun from noon to 4pm. They said the venues also do not have enough tents and in those that have been provided there is poor ventilation.
“This is taking a toll on the young boys and girls. The current punishing weather pattern has already led the government to declare that a heatwave has hit Malaysia,” a parent told FMT.
Another parent said children had been seen struggling on the pitch, especially during matches held between noon and 3pm.
Despite the fact that a few hundred children are playing at the same venue over three days, Maxim Events does not have doctors on standby, yet another parent said.
Maxim Events, which organises the tournaments on a year-long basis, also handles FAM’s national youth league Suparimau under a contract. It also manages the KL Cup, Johor Cup and Penang Cup annual tournaments, also for children aged six to 18.
No picture in identity cards for under-12s
Maxim Events director Will Kucia has admitted that certain teams had given their players forged identification papers but those caught have been banned from playing.
“This problem stems from the fact that there are no photos on identity cards for those aged below 12. We can only act and investigate if there are complaints,” he said when contacted.
Unfortunately, Kucia said, parents, coaches and team managers are also guilty of perpetrating such practices. “It is hard to stop those who want to win at any cost,” he said.
On playing in hot weather, he said this is unavoidable as it is too costly to stage evening games under floodlights. “The cost, which will increase by several times, will then be passed on to the clubs or parents,” he added.
“We are a grassroots football development organisation trying to keep costs down to maintain a large base,” Kucia said.
He admitted that there was no doctor at the venue but said there were two paramedics on standby with a Red Crescent ambulance, adding that no team or parent had lodged an official complaint with him.
FMT reached out to FAM but did not receive any response.