KDM Labuan, Tankur to fight for Unity title

KOTA KINABALU: Tankur FC and KDM Labuan will vie for the Sabah Unity League title at the Penampang Stadium on March 31.

The much-anticipated final will kick off at 3:30pm.

Tournament organiser Edwin Jomiji in a statement to the press yesterday expected the titledecider promises an explosive and tough encounters between two of the best teams in the state.

Tankur FC secured their final berth after beating Kudat Cool in the quarterfinals and NABT in the semifinals while KDM Labuan thrashed Plus 1 of Kota Belud and Komplex Labuan in the same stages.

On paper, Tankur FC will definitely start as favourites with more than six players having represented the Sabah squad at senior and junior levels.

Among the notable names are former Sabah senior team captains Md Reithuddin Emran and Rosdin Wasli, strikers Jufrey Omopor and Razlan Oto and midfielders Zuraindey Jumai and former national player Sumardi Hajalan.

“However, their opponents (KDM Malaysia) must not be underestimated based on their consistency and good track record throughout the league.

“The opponents’ determination and high spirit to grab the championship could result in some upset and misery to favourites Tankur FC,” he said.

For the record, the tournament started off with about 32 teams last year and played along the World Cup format.

Total prize money of over RM25,000 plus medals and trophies await the the winners and the semifinalists.

Meanwhile, organiser Penampang Unity Football Club thanked the sports in particular Penampang MP-cum-Minister of International Trade and Industry, club patron Datuk Darell Leiking, as well as Cement Industry Sabah chairman Terrence Siambun for their generous contribution towards the development of the sport.

He added that Penampang District Officer Robert Stidi was expected to give away the prizes at the closing ceremony after the final.

Towards this end, Edwin urged all football fans to come and give their moral support to their teams in the title decider.