Safa Cup to kick off tomorrow
Published on: Thursday, January 11, 2024
By: GL Oh
Shamsuddin also expressed his gratitude to Jetama Sdn Bhd and Sabah Energy Corporation Sdn Bhd who are the two main contributors among other government-linked companies sponsoring the tournament.
Kota Kinabalu: This year’s Safa (Sabah Football Association) Cup football tournament is set to kick off this Friday in six districts throughout the State.
A total of 21 teams will be involved in the three-day zone tournament to be held simultaneously in Kota Kinabalu, Kinabatangan, Beaufort, Kunak, Keningau and Kota Marudu.
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The champions and runners-up from each zone will then progress to the ‘Grand Final’ to be held in Kota Kinabalu from January 25-27.
Safa’s secretary general Shamsuddin Mohd Shah said the tournament with a total cash prize of RM40,000 is initiated by the local competition committee led by Safa vice president Datuk Seri Dr Ruddy Awah.
The goal is to unearth new talent to be absorbed into the Sabah FC team to compete in the coming MFL Cup, President’s Cup and Youth Cup this season.
“This entire tournament is expected to involve a total of 525 players from three age groups, namely Under-23, 20 and 18.
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“We hope that more potential talents will be spotted and subsequently absorbed as professional players in line with the main purpose of organising this tournament,” he said on Wednesday.
He added a panel of experienced coaches have been appointed to scout for potential players in all six districts.
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He also expressed his gratitude to Jetama Sdn Bhd and Sabah Energy Corporation Sdn Bhd who are the two main contributors among other government-linked companies sponsoring the tournament.
“I wish to express my appreciation and thanks to all the GLC for their contribution to help us in organising this Safa Cup football tournament this time,” he said.
Meanwhile, the 12 teams who make it to the grand finals will be divided into two groups and the top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals.
Tournament venues to be used are the Likas Stadium, UMS Sports Complex, Likas Sukma fields and Likas synthetic pitch.
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