Local stars like Myo Min Tun (above) will be highly sought-after in the new Myanmar National League.

MYANMAR football looks to have entered a new era, with the Myanmar Football Federation (MFF) unveiling plans for a professional domestic league at a press conference on March 4.

The Myanmar National League will replace the current top domestic competition – the Myanmar League – and will feature eight private, location-based clubs, which will be owned by leading businessmen. The competition is expected to kick off in early 2010 and will run for about eight months, the federation says, and will feature international players and a youth development system.

MFF president U Zaw Zaw said a professional league was critical for the development of football here.

“The standard of Myanmar football has not improved significantly because we lack inter-national exposure and youth development programs. If we do not introduce the Myanmar National League now we will never see improvement. This is the right time for Myanmar to begin to catch up with other countries,” U Zaw Zaw said at the press conference.

He added that the MFF has been seeking approval from the government to create the new league since February 2008 and finally received permission to set up private clubs for the Myanmar National League in December.

The eight clubs are: Yangon United FC (Yangon Division, U Tay Za, Htoo Trading), Yadanarpone FC (Mandalay Division, Dr Sai, Alpine), Magway FC (Magway Division, U Tun Myint Naing, Asia World), Okkthar United FC (Bago Division, U Aung Moe Kyaw, IBTC), Southern Myanmar United FC (Tanintharyi Division, U Htay Myint, Yuzana), Zeya Shwe Myay FC (Sagaing Division, U Win Myint, Shwe Nager Min), Delta United FC (Ayeyarwady Division, U Chit Khaing, Eden) and Kanbawza FC (Shan State, U Aung Ko Win, Kanbawza).

Each club will be permitted to sign at least five foreign players and one foreign coach.

The league will initially schedule most matches for Yangon and Mandalay but is aiming to introduce home matches for regional clubs. The federation did not specify the number of matches but, if the competition is to span eight months, it is likely to be at least 28, with sides playing each other four times.

The government has granted each club tax exemptions for an initial three-year period, while club owners must provide a minimum of K200 million (approximately US$200,000) for initial invest-ment. It is expected that the annual operating cost for each club will be about K500 million ($500,000).

“Clubs will receive income from TV rights and entrance fees once the Myanmar National League starts,” U Zaw Zaw said, adding that further details on the television agreement will be released in early 2010.

Transfers and contract negotiations officially began on March 5 and U Zaw Zaw said current Myanmar League players, who are mostly employed by govern-ment ministries, would not be required to resign from their government posts for at least two years.

The players currently plying their trade in the Myanmar League were naturally upbeat about the prospect of a professional competition.

“We all welcome the Myanmar National League because this is a good chance for players to get some kind of guarantee for our future. I think all the players will try their best to improve their skills, both physically and mentally,” said Kanbawza’s Kyaw Thiha. “For me, I will choose to join a club that has a good relationship between the playing group, management and club owner,” he added.

U Khin Maung Kyaing, former head coach of Myanmar League powerhouse club Customs, said if the league is to be successful, all stakeholders needed to cooperate with the MFF.

“This is very good news and we all need to work together with the Myanmar Football Federation because without the federation there is no way we will succeed,” he said. “Youth development is the most important factor in improving the standard of Myanmar football. These eight clubs must invest in their youth development programs in order to build up the next generation of national players.”

In another significant change to the structure of Myanmar football, the government has allowed the MFF to become an independent organisation.

According to the rules of football’s world governing body, FIFA, national football federations should be independent from external interference, particularly government ministries and ministers.

What the experts say
Tin Myint Aung Myanmar national team head coach “Myanmar players will get new experience and international exposure [from the Myanmar National League]. Also, it will improve their standard of living.”	Soe Myat Min Myanmar and Ministry of Customs captain “This is a momentous change in the history of Myanmar football and the club owners are taking a big risk financially. The players need to thanks them for that.”
... and the fans’ verdict
Ko Min Min 27 Thingangyun township “I expect all the matches [in the Myanmar National League] will be exciting for fans to watch. I love to watch Myanmar football matches but most of them were boring. When the Myanmar National League starts, we will all be able to taste international standard matches in Myanmar.”	U Nyan Thein 40 Sanchaung Township “I have been watching football for more than 15 years, since I was 20 years old. I think this is a good change for both players and fans. For players it will mean more money, a better life, and for fans it will create interest in Myanmar football matches, which used to be boring.”