Safa Tawau League 2019 to have new format

KOTA KINABALU: The Safa Tawau League 2019 will return with a whole new format.

Organising chairman Salleh Gafur announced under the new concept and system, the league would be introducing the Super Cup and Perdana Cup.

Unlike in previous edition where it involved the Division One and Division Two leagues, the new concept will see all 26 teams drawn into six groups playing in a roundrobin format.

"At the end of the group stages, the two top teams in each group as well as the four best third placed teams will play in the Super Cup.

"The other 10 teams will compete in the Perdana Cup," he said here yesterday.

As for the FA Cup, it will be contested by the semifinalists from both the Super Cup and Perdana Cup.

"The Charity Shield match on January 26 will kick off the new season," he said while adding the group matches would be held every weekend and on public holidays.

The participating teams according to their groupings are Kesihatan FC, Tawau Reds, RTD FC and MPT FC in Group A; Tarzan FC, FCF FC, Kee United, Ex Bombalai and Bombalai Jr in Group B; Perillys FC, Boca Junior, JMBTN Putih and Tendang FC in Group C; UF RSM, Project FC, R Nie FC and PASPU United in Group D; PDRM, Stinger FC, OTENTIK, RD FC and SOF FC in Group E; and Combat FC, QH FC, P190 FC and Ranggu FC in Group E.

"All but two of the participating teams are from Tawau district," he said with the exception of Combat FC of Lahad Datu and Boca Junor of Kunak.

Salleh went on to say other new introductions the teams must have the association logo on their jerseys and to value the players playing in the league, they would be issued a two-year playing licence.

Meawnhile, Safa Tawau president Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan has high hopes that the change in concept and system will mark the a new beginning for football in the district.

Nizam, who is also Apas assemblyman, also expressed his hope that the tournament would be a catalyst for Tawau football to reach new heights while also to unearth talents that can go on to play in top level football.

He also advised the teams and footballers to show high sportsmanship throughout the league.

The champions in the Super Cup will get RM10,000, the Datuk Tawfiq Abu Bakar Titingan trophy and medals followed by the runners up (RM5,000, trophy and medals) and joint third placing (RM3,000 and medals).

The Perdana Cup winners will take home RM5,000, Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan trophy and medals and the runners-up (RM3,000, trophy, medals) and joint third (RM1,000 and medals).

The FA Cup champions will win RM3,000 and sports product while the runners-up settle for RM1,500.