Dr Sim laments ‘serious lack’ of Chinese footballers
KUCHING: Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian wants to see more Chinese youths get involved in football.
Speaking at the launch of the Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian Cup at the Jubilee Ground on Sunday, he said there is a serious lack of participation from the Chinese community in Sarawak’s football development.
He also highlighted the irony that the local Chinese community in Sarawak are well known as football fans.
Thus he is hoping for the community to be not only spectators but players as well.
The minister also expressed his wish to see a few Chinese in Sarawak to play in the state or national team.
To realise that dream, Dr Sim is all for more football clubs to develop players and more and regular local tournaments for the Chinese community.
Also present during last Sunday’s ceremony were Kuching City South Counci l ( MBKS) mayor Datuk James Chan, LEA Sports Centre Sdn Bhd managing director Raymond Sim and Kuching Division Football Association ( KDFA) president Rakawi Ibrahim.
The tournament , joint ly organised by the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) and Kuching Chinese Physical Association, is an initiative with the mission to bring back the glory days of Chinese players in local football.
It has attracted eight teams - Jinhua SC, Nanyang United FC, Saints FC, IHUB FC, Newbies FC, Kuching Old Boys FC, Dahfa Rhinos FC and Kelab Rekreasi Sukan Fox Marina - who are vying for honours Sept 23 to Oct 29.