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Spotlighting Coach Yong’s character-building mentorship and Dhiya Addin’s “Takkan Gentar” Barcelona breakthrough, honouring the MHB’s legacy
Today, MILO® Hidup Bola carnival proudly marks its 20th anniversary of empowering Malaysian youth through the fast-paced excitement of futsal, making it Malaysia’s longest‑running youth futsal programme. Since its modest beginnings in 2005, the programme has welcomed over 200,000 children who have embraced the beautiful game, discovering not only their athletic potential but also enduring values that transcend the court.
The country’s premier youth futsal programme has since produced national footballers and futsal stars who credit MILO® Hidup Bola with laying the foundations of their careers, who now represent the nation on the international stage. By blending technical skill development with values such as teamwork, resilience and discipline, MILO® Hidup Bola embodies the belief that “Sports is a Great Teacher,” guiding young players to pursue dreams both on and off the court.
A Legacy of Champions
From the outset, MILO® Hidup Bola aimed to identify and nurture raw talent. As a former head coach of Malaysia’s men’s national futsal team, Chiew Chun Yong, fondly known as Coach Yong, recalls, “I’ve seen firsthand how effective this programme is. Many players who started in MILO® Hidup Bola are now playing in the Malaysia Premier Futsal League (MPFL). Some have even made it to the national football team.” His philosophy—that sport builds character—has shaped countless programmes and inspired parents to become volunteer coaches themselves, creating a self-sustaining community of supporters. “MILO® Hidup Bola is a great platform – without it, many kids would not have access to coaching or competition. Their growth in mental toughness is especially evident during actual competition—they play with heart, soul, and great passion.”
Coach Yong and children warming up with futsal drills on the court.
“When I first joined in 2015 to help develop a module and training programme for MILO® Champions Clinic, we focused on basic techniques for children who had never held a ball. Watching a seven-year-old evolve into a confident, disciplined athlete is the greatest reward,” said Yong.
Among MILO® Hidup Bola’s most celebrated alumni are Nik Akif Syahiran Nik Mat and Nur Alya Marissa Binti Nur Al Fatah, whose journeys from local clinics to national representation illustrate what dedication can achieve. Nik Akif now patrols the Penang FC defence, while Nur Alya Marissa has earned acclaim on international futsal stages. Their success is mirrored by peers such as Azri Ghani of KL City, Arif Aiman of JDT FC, Shivan Pillay of Perak FC and Feroz Baharudin of JDT FC, each of whom first honed their talents on MILO® Hidup Bola courts.
For many alumni, MILO® Hidup Bola’s influence reaches far beyond Malaysian courts. Nur Dhiyaa Addin, who was honoured as Pemain Muda Terbaik Liga Wanita Nasional 2024 recently. She was among the 24 chosen through the MILO Champions Clinic: FC Barcelona Edition, who vividly recalls her 2018 Barcelona tour, “Training under Barcelona coaches for eleven days was surreal—the tactical focus on Tiki-Taka, the cooler weather, the intensity of each session. Whenever I felt overwhelmed, MILO’s motto at that time ‘Takkan Gentar’—Never Give Up—kept me going. Each week of that clinic tackled a new skill, laying the foundation for my professional career.” In hopes of one day being in the position to discover and nurture future talents, her advice for the next generation, “Never give up. Talent alone is not enough – you need discipline, hard work, and humility to succeed. Make the most of every opportunity, listen to your coaches, and don’t be afraid to ask questions to improve yourself.”
Dhiya Addin and a young participant entering the court together with smiles and excitement for MILO Hidup Bola.
“We always emphasise that futsal is a team sport. While individual technique is important, it must serve the team. I constantly remind them: don’t be a solo hero. Use your skills to support your teammates. I also focus on game understanding—tactics, positioning, and movement. We train them to play, attack, defend, and support as a team. That’s where life lessons come in—communication, cooperation, and responsibility,” add Coach Yong.
Reflecting on two decades of impact, Lim Kerwin, Head of Sports Marketing, MILO®, Nestlé Malaysia, reinforces the brand’s long-term commitment “We believe every child deserves the chance to dream. By providing quality coaching, healthy competition and character-building experiences, MILO® Hidup Bola invests in both the nation’s sporting future and its future leaders. Our commitment remains unwavering: to ensure the futsal community - coaches, athletes and parents, realise the importance of sports for generations to come and nurture young talents from an early age.”
To join the celebration or support your favourite youngsters, visit https://www.milo.com.my/get-active/milo-hidup-bola for tournament dates, team registrations, and match results.
Coach Yong and Dhiya Addin walking in together during the opening ceremony of the MILO Hidup Bola event.
Dhiya Addin and Coach Yong catching up during MILO Hidup Bola event.
About MILO®
MILO® is the leading nutritious chocolate malt beverage in Malaysia beloved for its iconic taste. Packed with the goodness of malt barley, milk and cocoa with a unique blend of 6 vitamins and 3 minerals, MILO® has fuelled generations of champions with the energy to go further. For over 70 years, MILO® has grown alongside Malaysia and been a vital part of the nation’s sports heritage, providing athletes the nutrition as well as the platform to grow and flourish through the various MILO® grassroots sports programmes.
About Nestlé Malaysia: Nourishing Malaysians for Over a Century
Since 1912, Nestlé has been dedicated to nourishing Malaysians and building their trust through our high-quality brands and products. We contribute to food security as well as to the health and well-being of the Rakyat through our trusted brands and a long-term commitment to Malaysia in the form of investments, employment, and various initiatives that uplift local communities. Today, we operate six factories, employing over 5,000 Malaysians, and we are the Halal Centre of Excellence for Nestlé globally. We are committed to providing halal, nutritious, and high-quality products with sustainability at the heart of our business practices - Made in Malaysia, by Malaysians, for all Malaysians.
As the world's largest food and beverage manufacturer, with our headquarters based in Switzerland, Nestlé operates in over 180 countries. With a workforce of over 270,000 dedicated employees, we are driven by our purpose to unlock the power of food, enhancing the quality of life for everyone, both today and for future generations. Our commitment to nutrition, health, and wellness guides our performance, ensuring we deliver on our promise of GOOD FOOD, GOOD LIFE.
To discover more about our century-long journey of nourishing Malaysians, please visit our website at https://www.Nestlé.com.my/ask-Nestlé/we-are-Nestlé.
For more information, please contact:
Shaheen Zaffar
Nestlé (Malaysia) Berhad
Tel: (+603) 7965 6456
E-mail: [email protected]
Izzat Karim
INK PR Sdn Bhd
Mobile: (+60) 11 2325 7086
E-mail: [email protected]