KUALA LUMPUR: After more than 25 years and 20 editions, the UKRC International Soccer 9s needs to evolve, with only one foreign team competing in this year’s tournament.
Held from Sept 5-6, the tournament featured Bangkok Bitcoin of Thailand as its sole overseas participant.
UKRC president Brendan Lee said changes were needed to attract more international teams next year.
“This tournament has always put fellowship ahead of everything else. It is where old friends gather not just to relive their youth on the football field, but also to share food and drinks and reminisce about old times off it,” said Lee.
“The tournament has been going on since 2001, and even when we lost access to our field before getting it back, we pushed through.
“Through it all, we have overcome many adversities and issues, and we remain stronger for it. However, we need to evolve to keep the tournament relevant.”
Lee said the challenging global economic climate would be a major hurdle in planning next year’s tournament, with the war in Iran adding to disruptions in international travel and logistics.
Rising jet fuel prices and airfares have made it increasingly expensive for foreign teams to travel to Kuala Lumpur. Even teams from East Malaysia found it difficult to make the trip this year.
Many players also spent heavily travelling to the United States to watch the Fifa World Cup, adding to the financial pressures on participating teams.
The rising cost of travel, coupled with the US Federal Reserve’s recent interest rate hike to combat inflation, is likely to affect amateur sports clubs worldwide, leaving them with tighter budgets.
To address these pressures, Lee said the tournament must explore new funding avenues, including securing more corporate sponsors and increasing its prize pool.
The current prize money stands at RM3,000 for the champions and RM1,500 for the runners-up.
“Increasing the prize money is something we have to consider for future tournaments,” said Lee.
“While I’m more than happy to see local teams in the tournament, having foreign teams and teams from East Malaysia is what makes our tournament special.
“Not every team can afford to compete in overseas tournaments, so we want to make the UKRC International Soccer 9s as attractive as possible by bringing in good foreign teams to give the local lads a good workout.”
Lee was speaking after this year’s tournament, in which Melwood Boys retained the title they won last year.
The Sungai Buloh-based team of Liverpool fanatics defeated Penang Sports Club 6-5 on penalties after a goalless draw at the UKRC Field.
The final was a repeat of last year’s match, which Melwood won 1-0.
In the Plate final, hosts UKRC lost 5-4 on penalties to Negeri Sembilan’s Interact Recreation Club after both teams agreed to go straight to a shootout.
Bangkok Bitcoin won the Fair Play Trophy – the K. Suppiah Memorial Trophy – named after the UKRC founder.
Interact Recreation Club’s Ben Edo Osagie was the tournament’s top scorer with 12 goals, earning the Uncle Lee Memorial Trophy.
M. Hari Chandran, president of Melwood Boys Club, said his team was already looking forward to a “three-peat” next year.
Indonesian club Kwarta, based in Medan, is the only team to have won three consecutive titles – in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
“The aim is to win a hat-trick of titles, and the planning starts now,” said Hari.
“We know only one club has ever done it, and that will inspire us to go all out in our quest.”
