CM Cup inter-district tourney in October
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Football Association (Safa)is organising the Chief Minister Musa Aman Cup Tournament in October.
Deputy president II Datuk Lawrence Gimbang said it is expected that all affiliates would be taking part in this fifth edition of the inter-district tournament.
“We are expecting all of our 26 district affiliate members to take part and, like in previous editions, it would be held in two stages - the group challenge and the final rounds,” said Lawrence after chairing the first organising committee meeting at Safa office in Likas here, Thursday.
This year's tournament will see an improvement in referee quality as the organisers separate the group stage fixtures into two phases.
“We want to use the best referees that we have to officiate all the matches. If we are to do it at the same time, we will be short in number as far as quality referees are concerned,” he said.
The first phase would be held on October 6, 7 and 8, while the second phase is on October 13, 14 and 15. The grand finals would be in Kota Kinabalu on November 1-5.
And unlike previous editions, this time the group stage would be held in a carnival-like format.
“There will be no home and away format. This time it will be on a round robin basis where the winners of the groups will enter the grand finals.
“There will be two groups of four teams in the grand finals, which will also be on a round robin format. The top two teams will enter the semi-finals,” Lawrence added.
Meanwhile, teams are allowed to register up to 20 players who are Malaysian citizens and under 21 years old.
“However, each team is allowed to have five players that are 2227 years old but only three are allowed on the field at any one time,” Lawrence said, while adding that ex-players, from the state senior side, President's Cup squad or the Under-19 team, are eligible.
According to him, there would be a second meeting on August 8. Representatives of all their affiliate must attend.
“We are calling on presidents and secretaries of all affiliates to attend the meeting, where we will decide on the hosts of the respective groups,” he said.
Also present at the meeting on Thursday were Supreme Council members, Datuk Juil Nuatim, who is also team manager of the senior squad, Benedict Asmat assistant team manager of the President's Cup squad and Telupid district officer as well as assistant secretary general, Dr Mohd Farid Abdullah, Mohd Yassin Aman (team manager of the Under-19 side) and executive secretary Hasbullah Yahya.