KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysian-born footballers have been challenged to prove that Harimau Malaya’s future is not dependent on heritage players, with local football observer Datuk Dr Pekan Ramli insisting the upcoming national team call-ups represent a defining moment for homegrown talent to silence their critics once and for all.
Pekan said the national team camp presents a golden opportunity for local players to demonstrate they possess the quality, mentality and commitment to earn their place in Harimau Malaya on merit, rather than allowing the perception to grow that Malaysia can only compete at the highest level through its expanding pool of heritage stars.
While acknowledging that interim head coach Tan Cheng Hoe faces the difficult task of assembling a competitive squad during the Malaysian League’s off-season, Pekan stressed that every player selected must treat the call-up as an opportunity to prove they belong.
“Now is the time for local players to prove what they are capable of. They cannot allow the perception to continue that Malaysian-born players are not good enough and that the national team can only succeed because of heritage players.
“When you are selected to represent your country, you have a responsibility to show your commitment, your hunger and your quality. Go out there and prove that you deserve to wear the Harimau Malaya jersey. Don’t treat it as just another call-up or take the opportunity lightly because not every player gets the privilege of representing Malaysia.
“Every training session and every minute on the pitch is a chance to convince the coaches, the supporters and even yourselves that local players remain capable of becoming the backbone of this national team. This is the moment to change people’s perception and prove that Malaysian-born players still have what it takes to compete at the highest level,” he told Scoop.
The senior lecturer at UiTM’s Sports Science and Recreation Faculty also urged local footballers to adopt a stronger work ethic if they hope to compete consistently with heritage players and quality foreign imports, insisting that natural ability alone is no longer enough in the modern game.
He said the willingness to put in additional hours beyond scheduled team training is often what separates average players from those capable of succeeding at the highest level.
“If local players are not prepared to work harder, then it will be extremely difficult for them to compete with heritage players or foreign imports. If everyone attends the same training session every day, then what exactly makes you different?
“The players who continue to improve are those who stay behind after training and work relentlessly on their weaknesses. Whether it is free-kicks, penalties, finishing, first touch or other technical aspects of the game, those extra hours of practice are what separate good players from great ones.
“Talent may earn you an opportunity, but hard work is what keeps you in the team. If our local players want to remain relevant and compete for places in the national squad, they must constantly challenge themselves to improve because football today rewards those who are willing to put in the extra effort,” he said.
At the same time, Pekan called on every player selected for national duty to report to camp without hesitation, saying club commitments or pre-season preparations should never become an excuse for skipping international duty.
“Anyone who receives a national team call-up must report for duty and give 100 per cent commitment because representing Malaysia should always be the greatest honour for any footballer.
“We do not want to hear excuses that players are not ready, that they are focused on pre-season or that clubs are reluctant to release them. Once you are given the opportunity to wear the Harimau Malaya jersey, your responsibility is to repay that faith by proving your true ability.
“Every call-up is a chance to strengthen your place in the national team and show that you deserve to be there. These opportunities should never be taken for granted because there are many players who would give everything to wear the national colours,” he added. – June 27, 2026