Sabah Prison grab two football titles
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Prison impressed by lifting two titles at the 34th Tan Sri Murad Ahmad Trophy Malaysia Prison Department Football Tournament in Selangor recently.
The state prison department won the Open category title before adding the Veteran Invitational title in the tournament organised by the Malaysian Prisons Sports Council and hosted by Kajang Prison at Penjara Mini Stadium.
In the Open category, Sabah Prison led by former state footballer Billyton Vun Ket Ming defeated hosts Kajang Prison 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out after the match had ended scoreless in regulation time.
Billyton, who later picked up the final man-of-the-match award, was in fine form to spearhead the state squad but Kajang Prison, cheered on by the home fans, denied Sabah Prison from getting the winner thus forcing the game into the penalty shoot-out.
Goalkeeper Maixley Johny turned hero for Sabah Prison when he made the crucial stop that cemented the state representatives’ victory.
In the Veteran Invitational competition, Sabah Prison Veteran edged Pahang Veteran 3-1 in the final.
Sixteen teams took part in the Open category while another 10 teams in the Veteran Invitational.
Malaysia Prisons Department director-general Datuk Seri Zulkifli Omar presented the prizes to the winners.
Meanwhile, team manager Shamlin Tuali expressed thanks to all who had supported the Sabah Prison teams especially director Suria Haji Idris that provided the foundation that led to the victories.
For the record, the team’s chief coach is Roslan Wasli and assisted by Agustin Paya and Billyton.