(Source: wikimedia)
The future of a country is depended on the teenagers of their country. So, it can be said like if the teenagers of the country are low educated and weak in health, the future of the country will be bad. Myanmar (also known as Burma) is the one of developing counties in South East Asia. That’s why Myanmar teenagers are responsible for the future condition of the country. When we tell about Myanmar teenagers’ life, playing football cannot be missed. Playing football on the street is one of the favorite sports in Myanmar. Most of players are the boys but some girls also love to play football. As an example, Myanmar Women National Football Team’s FIFA ranking is 44 in 2018. In Myanmar, football is known as very popular sport and play all over the country. You can see how much Myanmar people love football by seeing the people in Myanmar National Football Team’s matches. Myanmar citizens who live in Myanmar or who stay in foreign countries are always eager to cheer the Myanmar National Football Team.

Myanmar National Football Team

Some children who live in the country side of Myanmar don’t get so much chance in education. Dreams to become famous football players are their big hope to change their life. That’s why most of the players who play in Myanmar National Football Team are from the countryside. Myanmar Football Association’s golden age was started from 1948s and ended in 1970s. It was known as Burma National Football Team until 1989. In 1968, Burma National Football team got the silver medal in Asia Cup and also participated in Summer Olympics in 1972. It can be said that the Burma National Football Team was leading among the Asian Football Teams by winning the Asia Games in the 1960s and 1970s. In the football event of the Southeast Asia Region, Myanmar got the gold medals for five continuous times in the Southeast Asia Games in 1965, 1967, 1969, 1971 and 1973. After the golden age of Burma National Football Team, they got silver medal as the highest achievement in 1993.

Myanmar Street Football Culture

Playing football on the street is one of the most popular sports in Myanmar because it doesn’t cost so much to play. If you have at least six people, you can play the street football. Generally, each team will have three players and one of them is goal keeper. The other two players play both attacking and defending roles. But sometime, the goal keeper also help and support to score by using long range kick. In Myanmar, the people usually use double plastic football to play on the street which is difficult to blow out. Only a few people use the rubber football because it can cause the injury not only to the players but also to the pedestrians. The street football can be played by any classes of the people in Myanmar. Of course! The Street Football is one of the most popular sports in the special event day like Independence Day and the people enjoy the sport competition.

Futsal Football Culture

Ten years ago, there didn’t have so many cars and people in Yangon’s streets. People from different classes played football together on the street in Yangon for most of the evening. Even when the rain is falling, the aficionados of the football gather around and still play happily in every township. Nowadays, Futsal Football Culture is very popular not only in Yangon but also in the famous cities of Myanmar like Mandalay, Taunggyi, Mawlamyine and so on. It is because most of the teenagers and children are crazy about the street football but the public area is very limited to play these days and they were not allowed to play where they used to play anymore. So, if you want to play football in Yangon, you have to rent the futsal courts or play at the open public area which is allowed to play the street football. (The open public area like under Myay Ni Gone Bridge which is free to play but you have to wait the available time or take turns to play) One section for renting the futsal court costs between 10,000 Kyats to 30,000 Kyats. The prices will vary upon the courts condition and the location. Most of the futsal courts are a little far from downtown area and the main roads. So, if you want to go to the futsal court don’t forget to take your car or taxi.

Myanmar National League (MNL)

In 2018, there are 12 football club teams in Myanmar National League. Before Myanmar National League, Myanmar Premier League was the only one league to enjoy. Most of the clubs from Myanmar Premier League are Yangon-based football club teams. In 2009, it was replaced by Myanmar National League and the League Cup began as the two month tournament in the initial league. It held the matches in the country’s main two stadiums, Thuwanna Stadium and Aung San Stadium with eight professional club teams representing the different regions of the country. Yadanabon FC defeated Yangon United FC in Myanmar National League Cup final and became the first Myanmar National League Champion in 2009. Yadanabon FC became champion in 2009, 2010, 2014 & 2016 and Yangon United FC became champion in 2011, 2012, 2013 & 2015. The latest champion of the Myanmar National League is Shan United FC in 2017. Most of the players from Myanmar National Football Team are the players from Myanmar National League club teams.

The 12 football club teams of Myanmar National League

1. Yangon United FC (represents to Yangon Division)
2. Yandanarbon FC (represents to Mandalay Division)
3. Ayeyawady United FC (represents to Ayeyawady Division)
4. Shan United FC (represents to Shan State)
5. Magway FC (represents to Magwe Division)
6. Hnantharwady United FC (represents to Pegu Division)
7. Southern Myanmar FC (represents to Mon State)
8. Zwekapin United FC (represents to Kayin State)
9. Rakhine United FC (represents to Rakhine State)
10. Sagaing United FC (represents to Sagaing Division)
11. Myawady FC (represents to Military)
12. GFA FC (represents to Chin State)