Dutch's world-class sport institute to be set at Johore

Over the years, this led to the establishment of Johan Cruyff Universities, Johan Cruyff Colleges and more Johan Cruyff Institutes around the world.

JOHOR BARU: A WORLD-CLASS sports institute is to be established in EduCity, Nusajaya, by the Johan Cruyff Institute.

Known as the Johan Cruyff Institute Malaysia (JCI Malaysia), it will be at the centre of Iskandar Malaysia.

The institute, started by Dutch football legend Johan Cruyff in 1998, is famed for offering programmes designed to help athletes, former athletes, coaches and sport leaders to balance sport and studies, and to develop skills to excel in the international arena.

Over the years, this led to the establishment of Johan Cruyff Universities, Johan Cruyff Colleges and more Johan Cruyff Institutes around the world.

It has proven to be a success as hundreds of students passionate about sports have since graduated from these programmes.

Cruyff is scheduled to make his maiden visit to Iskandar Malaysia on Sept 4. It will also be the former Dutch striker's first visit to Southeast Asia.

Iskandar Investment Bhd (IIB) president and chief executive officer Datuk Syed Mohamed Syed Ibrahim said Cruyff's visit would serve as an indication of Iskandar Malaysia's economic growth potential and as a regional centre for excellence in sports.

"It was not an easy task to bring in this famed JCI expertise into Malaysia, but the presence of their institute here will complement efforts in positioning EduCity as a fully integrated best-in-class education hub in the region.

"By including sports in its wide repertoire of conventional academic courses, EduCity is on its way to become a more holistic regional education centre," he said yesterday.

Present at the event were IIB chief operating officer Khairil Anwar Ahmad and also Education@Iskandar Sdn Bhd (EISB) acting chief operating officer Mohd Hisham Kamaruzaman.

The Johan Cruyff Institute for Sports Studies, the Pelorus Dutch Sports Technology (PDST) Sdn Bhd and EISB have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish JCI Malaysia. A definitive agreement is expected to be signed to establish JCI's pioneering institute of sports management in Asia.

PDST will be responsible for the business and administrative framework of JCI Malaysia including recruitment, branding and academic programme management.

Syed Mohamed said JCI Malaysia's presence would also enhance the visibility and destination branding of the EduCity Stadium and Sports Complex.

In addition to the setting up of JCI Malaysia, Syed Mohamed said Cruyff would unveil the country's first Cruyff Court -- a specially designed football court and play area for school-going children located next to SK Khir Johari in Kampung Majidee here on Sept 4.

"The Cruyff Court will be the second such court in Asia, after Japan," he said.

On the establishment of JCI Malaysia, Syed Mohamed hoped the institute would play a major role in the local sports scene as JCI's graduates were highly sought after in the international sector.

Syed Mohamed said JCI Malaysia also planned to pursue a relationship with the National Sports Council (NSC) to look at the possibility of their former students and athletes continuing their education.

"We view the NSC as a potential stakeholder in furthering the institute's aim. It is important for us to engage with them to map out the continuity of sports education for the country."