Impact-based foundation, Yayasan Hasanah (“Hasanah”), together with Amsterdam-based Johan Cruyff Foundation, today announced the opening of Cruyff Court Felda Lurah Bilut. The launch was officiated by Yang Berhormat Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, Minister of Youth and Sports.

Cruyff Courts are public playing fields that empower children to excel in sports and in life by stimulating them to learn new skills and discover their talents. By creating a safe place for them to play, these children are encouraged to keep active by engaging in sports and in turn growing closer to their communities.

The Felda Lurah Bilut Court is the fifth of its kind in Malaysia, and forms part of Hasanah and the Johan Cruyff Foundation’s ongoing collaboration to build up to 20 Cruyff Courts all over Malaysia in the coming years.

Hasanah Managing Director, Shahira Ahmed Bazari said: “At Hasanah, we aim to deliver meaningful long-term and sustainable impact in various areas including by creating safe, inclusive and accessible public spaces for all Malaysians. We want to continue empowering young Malaysians, especially children from underprivileged families and children with disabilities, to become active and inspirational members of their community. We believe that sport is just one of the ways to bring communities together, and our collaboration with the Johan Cruyff foundation has contributed greatly to this.”

Yang Berhormat Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, Minister of Youth and Sports (in yellow), signing the plaque to launch the opening of Cruyff Court Felda Lurah Bilut, as Shahira Ahmed Bazari, Managing Director of Yayasan Hasanah (most left), Anuar Malek, Deputy Director-General (Commodity Development), FELDA (third from left), and H.E. Karin Mössenlechner, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Malaysia (fifth from left) look on.

The launch of Felda Lurah Bilut also marks the launch of the Cruyff Foundation Coach course in Malaysia. Cruyff Foundation Coaches are local coaches and youth workers above the age of 21 years old who have undergone internationally recognised training to become role models in their communities and organise events to inspire a younger generation through the Heroes of the Cruyff Courts Programme.

Ilja van Holsteijn, Manager of Cruyff Courts said, “Our aim is to get as many young people as possible, active around the world and we are heartened by how well the Cruyff Courts have been received by young people across Malaysia. This success combined with the passion and dedication of the team at Yayasan Hasanah has certainly inspired us to do more through the introduction of the Cruyff Foundation Coaches initiative here. We hope that the young people of Felda Lurah Bilut will take the opportunity to discover and develop their talents and ultimately be the heroes of their own story.”

By organising these events, young Malaysians are given a stage to grow and develop their talents, all while gaining more self-confidence, and finding practical ways to work towards their personal ambitions.

Aizat, a representative of the Rangers Secretariat said, “Being a part of this programme has not only helped enhance our team’s leadership skills, it also strengthens our understanding of our local youths and their needs within the community. I hope to see this programme extended nationwide so that we can someday hold a major tournament featuring Cruyff Court players from all over the country.”

Ilja van Holsteijn, Manager of Cruyff Courts (right) playing a friendly football match with locals at Cruyff Court Felda Lurah Bilut.

Rudy, a participant from Kelantan said, “This programme has greatly helped me as a community coach, allowing me to stay constantly connected to my local community. Beyond that, I also got to meet and know other Cruyff Coaches from all over the world. This has enabled me to gain a better understanding of their challenges and teaching methods, which I will adopt in my own coaching sessions with my students.”

The event was closed by a friendly futsal match between the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Felda, Johan Cruyff Foundation, and Hasanah.