80 footballers join tryouts for KDMM Penampang squad

KOTA KINABALU: Around 80 footballers turned up for the selection trials for the KDMM Penampang squad at the Penampang Sports Complex last Saturday.

The trials were an early effort from Penampang KDMM to prepare for the KDMM Football Championship scheduled for early next year.

According to team manager Justin Juani, those who attended the first day trials were recalled to play in a friendly game against KDMM Kimanis on Sunday.

The hopeful KDMM Penampang footballers won 4-1.

“Penampang is all out for the championship and an early preparation is important to enable the selection committee to screen and refine the players.

“We want quality and disciplined players in the squad with a high level of fighting spirit,” he said, while adding the team was coached by Marcellinus Bungkilan and assisted by Lim Thau Ping, Florian Hiew and Valeh Benjamin.

Justin went on to say that he was impressed with the players and there was still some room for improvement for those who underperformed.

“The selection process will go on until we finalise the squad,” he added.

Meanwhile, the team’s publicity official Edwin Jomiji said they would look for more friendly matches against good teams so as to sharpen the players’ skill and combination.

He said several teams who participated in the Liga Perpaduan Sabah will be invited to have friendly matches against KDMM Penampang.