Kota Kinabalu: Jubilo Football Academy is set to organise a Football Carnival in June 2026 in collaboration with the Sabah Football Association (Safa) Kota Belud, marking a significant boost to grassroots football development in the district.
The carnival will focus on nurturing young talents through structured competition, featuring tournaments across multiple age groups. The opening categories will include Under-10 and Under-12, followed by Under-13, Under-14, Under-16 and Under-17 divisions.
The initiative reflects a shared commitment by both organisations to promote football at the grassroots level while creating a clear development pathway for aspiring young players.
Safa Kota Belud was represented by its Chairman, Awang Fadli Juanas, while Jubilo Football Academy was led by its Chairman, Syarulnizam Salleh Keruak. Also present were Jubilo Chief Executive Officer Joe Datuk Golkhan and Head Technical Coach Alex Duith.
Syarulnizam said the carnival represents more than just a tournament, but a long-term investment in youth development.
“We believe this carnival is more than just a competition — it is a platform to discover, nurture and inspire the next generation of football talents in Sabah. Through this collaboration with Safa Kota Belud, we are building a stronger foundation for grassroots football,” he said.
He added that the initiative is also aimed at strengthening community engagement through sports while encouraging healthy and active lifestyles among young people.
The meeting concluded on a highly positive note, with both parties aligned in their vision to elevate youth football standards in Sabah.
Among the key outcomes agreed upon were plans to position the carnival as an annual flagship event, the introduction of coaching clinics to complement competition, and broader engagement with schools and community teams to increase participation.
In addition, both sides expressed strong commitment to establishing a talent identification framework aimed at scouting and developing promising players for higher levels of competition.
The collaboration is expected to not only enhance football development but also foster unity within the community and provide greater opportunities for young talents in Kota Belud and beyond.
