Foreign teams invade PSC event

20th PSC-Ideal International Soccer 7s on March 2-3 will see a foreign invasion of 28 teams.

The clubs are from Indonesia (eight), Singapore (five), Maldives (five), Thailand (three), Europe (three), Hong Kong, Brunei, China and Australia (one each), will be taking part. Penang Sports Club will host the event.

Organising committee chairman Azrel Junid said the competition will feature three categories — Veterans (20 teams), Masters (12) and Grand Masters (16).

“From a humble beginning of 12 teams in 2000, the event has grown tremendously to become the Premier International veteran’s football tournament in the country and the Asian region,” he said.

“This year, our tournament has attracted a record number of 48 teams with more than 60 per cent coming from abroad while the rest are from Malaysia.

“About 1,000 players, their families, friends, officials and our local supporters are expected to throng the Penang Sports Club field and the island, promoting the island, football and tourism,” Azrel said.

The tournament is divided into three categories: Veterans (with three players between the ages of 35-40 and the rest above 40), Masters (with three players between the ages of 45-50 and the rest above 50) and the Grand Masters (with a maximum of three players between ages 50-55 and the rest above 55 years).