KENINGAU: Sabah FC head coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee said the establishment of the Keningau Junior Football Academy is a very positive step and a good initiative by Keningau FA.
He hopes this effort can be followed by other zones because it is important in the development of football at the grassroots level.
“I also hope that Keningau FA will be an example for other zones to hold or even establish football academies not only at the junior level but football academies for other age levels,” he said while launching the Academy here on Tuesday.
At the same time, Ong also officiated the Keningau Junior Cup tournament for the 12-year-old and under category which was organised for the first time by Keningau FA.
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“I hope we can unearth new talents at the grassroots level through this effort,” he said.
Meanwhile, speaking to reporters after the friendly match between Sabah FC and Keningau FA, Ong said the Rhinos will focus on strengthening the current team and will not look for new players or make any changes to face the Super League.
“At the moment we are not thinking of signing any more players except the one we just signed Harris Stamboulidis, beyond that we will not make any changes,” he said.
In the friendly match that took place at the Keningau Sports Complex which was attended by more than 10,000 football fans from the Upper Interior area, Sabah FC defeated Keningau FA 10-2.
Sabah FC’s goals came from Azhad Harraz (two), Darren Lok (two), Ramon Machado (two), and one each from Harith Naem, Telmo Castanheira, Jafri Firdaus Chew and Saddil Ramdani while Keningau FA’s goals were scored by Jufrey Omopor and Oliver Jhonny.
Rafie said this match is a tour to meet the fans in the hope that supporters from the Upper Interior can join together to support Sabah FC at the Likas Stadium at every match, especially in the Super League 2024-2025 which will start on May 9.
In addition, Rafie said as further preparation, Sabah FC will also participate in the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Cup football tournament which is scheduled to start on April 29.
Sabah FC’s first match in the Super League will be against Penang FC which will take place on May 12 at the Likas Stadium.
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