Awang Tengah appeals to corporate sponsors for S’wak football
MIRI: Deputy Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan has called on all big companies in the state to back and support the Sarawak football team in terms of funding.
He said football is one of the sports which is popular among people from al l walks of life regardless of race or religion and sponsorship is crucial.
“I hope a lot of corporate bodies will come up to sponsor the Sarawak team and ( the youth) players for the President Club,” Awang Tengah remarked during the introduction ceremony of the President Cup squad at Bintang Mega Mall, Miri yesterday.
Lea Sport Centre together with Starsport brand are official sponsors for the Young Crocs for this season.
Also present were Football Association Sarawak (FAS) deputy president Dato Pengiran Awang Daud Awang Putra, Member of Parliament for Miri Lukanisman Awang Sauni, State Assemblyman for Piasau Datuk Sebastian Ting and State Assemblyman for Lambir Ripin Lamat
Awang Tengah who is also Minister of Industrial and Ent repreneur development cum Second Minister of Ubran Development and Natural Resources added that various efforts need to be undertaken in order to produce football players from the grassroot levels and mould them into an internationally renowned players.
Recalling the ‘Ngap Sayot’ era, he said Sarawak produced many talented players who were highly committed under legendary coach Awang Mahyan.
The Sarawak government, he added, have spent a lot of money to provide sports facilities including stadia in major towns.
“If before during the Ngap Sayot era, the Sarawak football team can shine even without good facilities, now we don’t have any reasons that our Sarawak President Cup team can’t shines as a lot of facilities are provided, “he said.
During the ceremony, Awang Tengah announced a RM50,000 grant while Datuk Sebastian Ting, Ripin Lamat and Lukanisman pledged RM10, 000 each for FAS.
Sarawak kick off their President Cup campaign against PKNP FC at Miri Stadium on Feb 21 at 4.15pm.