Safa Tuaran targets to train 100 young footballers for selection into sports school

KOTA KINABALU: Young footballers in Tuaran are encouraged to take part in the Safa Tuaran football development programme 2019.

Spokesperson Justin Ganai said the programme was open to boys and girls and would be held at the Tuaran district field every Sunday.

Justin, the former Sabah senior team head coach, said they were targetting around 100 participants.

"The programme will focus on the basics of football and if the response is good, we will likely start in February," he said yesterday.

According to him, the focus would also be on budding talents, the girls in primary five or primary six this year in particular.

He said this was due to the fact that they were looking for young talents to be enrolled into the Malaysia Sports School Sabah (SSMS) when they are in Form 1 and 2 in 2021.

"For this year, the selected players who are in Form One and Form Two from around the country will be enrolled at the Malaysia Sports School Gambang, in Pahang while those in Form Four and Form Five at the SSMS," said Justin.

Towards this end, Justin thanked Safa Tuaran new president Mohd Sofian Alfian Nair, who is also the new Tuaran District Officer.

"Our new president is very supportive about the development of the sport in the district and for that we want to thank him for being very understanding about the need for sports development, particularly football.

"I guess, this is a good sign for football in the district," said Justin while hoping that other districts would organise programmes that could help Sabah Football Association (Safa) develop the sports right from the grassroots level.

For the record, Justin is the current head coach of the national under-19 women squad and is also a full-time coach attached to SSMS where he is assisted by coach Petronella Douny and goalkeeper coach Condrad Mojungkim.

Meanwhile, registration fee for the Safa Tuaran Football Development Programme is RM50 and the monthly at RM30.

Entry forms are available at the Tamparuli Library or at Sixstars Bizz shop in Tuaran.

Further details can be obtained from Justin (019-8602703), Golubi Guntarek (019-9716733), Kamaruddin Junit (017-8364746), Hj Noorzain Hj Tawi (019-8304444), Pius Dungkat (010-9580233), Razali Mohamad (016-8056614), Puan Nur Eidayah Abdullah (016-8012065), Puan Julia Sukaron (019-8708418), Raisin Gagah (019-8719316) or Lausop Bungkaris (019-8628266).