THE Myanmar Football Federation (MFF) has appointed Japanese coach Mr Keisuke Amano as Acad­emies and Youth Development Di­rector to identify and nurture a new generation of young talent in Myan­mar football and to raise the standard of football academies nationwide.

MFF signed Mr Keisuke Amano on a two-year contract. During his tenure, he will focus on systemat­ically scouting outstanding young players across the country, deliv­ering coaching courses to improve the quality of academy coaches, and formulating long-term development strategies for Myanmar football acad­emies.

Mr Keisuke Amano is a highly experienced coach holding JFA/AFC A Licence. He served for more than 13 years as a coach at the academy of Japanese J-League club Kashima Antlers FC.

In addition, he previously worked as Youth Development Director at the Chengdu Football Association (Chengdu FA) in China and as a youth development technical direc­tor in both Japan and China. He has also played a key role in developing top-level players such as Machida Koki and Ueda Ayase, who currently compete at leading European clubs. — ASH/KZL