12 teams chase DMS Cup Tawau Under-18 Football crown
KOTA KINABALU: Twelve teams are vying for the DMS Cup Tawau Under-18 Football Tournament title.
Tawau District Chief OKK Kee Mohd Ayub Kee Abu Bakar officiated the opening ceremony of the tournament at the Tawau Prison football field over the weekend.
In his speech, Ayub lauded the initiative taken by the Kee United Club to organise the tournament, which provided an avenue for junior footballers to be exposed to competitive competitions.
“I believe this will directly contribute and encourage development of football at grassroots level,” he said.
Ayub, who was also a former state and Tawau footballer, also shared experience and secrets to becoming a successful player while also stressing on the importance of discipline as the key factor towards achieving the goal.
He said today’s football can be a lucrative career that guarantees the future.
Towards this end, Ayub expressed gratitude to Dato’ Mohd Sabar Hj Idris for coming forward to sponsor and to contribute towards the implementation of the tournament.
Also present at the opening ceremony was Tawau Prison deputy director Mohd Hilmee Zainal.
Meanwhile, the opening match of the tournament between the National Football Development Programme (NFDP) squad and Kee Utd Junior ended 2-0 in favour of the former.