Kota Kinabalu: Penampang Sports Complex staged its first ever night matches on Saturday following the installation of the floodlights.
Three teams from IPD Penampang and five from Mimpaagat Tokou Sabah Recreation Club were involved in the friendly matches.
Club advisor Datuk Robert Stidi said it marked a historic milestone for sports in Penampang.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});“For the first time, our local footballers can play in a proper stadium environment after dark and this opens up more opportunities for leagues, tournaments and recreational matches to be held in the future,” he said.
Meanwhile, former State player Lim Thau Ping, who played for Mimpaagat, was impressed with the quality of the lighting.
“It makes playing at night safer and more enjoyable. We’re really happy to finally experience a night game here. Hopefully, this will attract more young people to play and watch football,” he said.
Club chairman Aloysius Wong also expressed his gratitude on behalf of all the teams to Sabah Sports Board for granting the use of the facility although the official launch will only take place later this week.