TABS Safa Bandaraya emerge champions

KOTA KINABALU: TABS Safa Bandaraya emerged as under16 champions of the CIMB Foundation Football Carnival that ended at the Hang Tuah Stadium in Malacca on Sunday.

The local football academy also did it in style by going unbeaten throughout the tournament.

TABS Safa Bandaraya won 2-1 against Kuala Lumpur and Kelantan and drew 0-0 with Malacca and Kedah 1-1 to collect eight points, thus topping the group that secured them the title.

Kelantan were second on seven points followed by Malacca in third placing. Five teams took part in the competition.

Head coach Matasan Ahmad was happy with the achievement of the team in the inaugural national level tournament.

He also credited fellow TABS coaches Roslan Wasli, Michael Wong, Jumat Jimmy, Awang Sabtu Jamil, Rosli and Azlan as well as TABS secretary Juraidah Abdul Rahim for the victory.

TABS Safa Bandaraya also took part in the under11 competition where they finished fourth out of eight participating teams.

He said the carnival would take place in Kedah next year.

“We hope to take part again next year and try to repeat our victorious feat,” he said while adding the tournament was for football academy that received sponsorship from CIMB Foundation.

CIMB Foundation Corporate assistant manager Rashid Abdul Rahman presented the prizes to the winners.

On the Borneo Football Cup currently taking place here, Matasan said TABS Safa Bandaraya would only take part in the under-13, under-15 and under-16 competitions.