Sabah qualify for STL Premier 2019 and Champions Cup tourney
KOTA KINABALU: Takraw club-side Sabah Mountaineers created history by being the first local team to qualify for the Sepaktaktraw League (STL) Premier division, next season (2019).
They made it to the tierone league after emerging as runners-up in the Division One tournament in Selangor, last week.
Sabah's Muhammad Izwan Zukri (tekong), was also named the tournament's Best Player.
The 10-team Division One tournament saw Sabah finish in second place with seven wins from nine matches. They join champions Negeri Sembilan Antlers to the STL Premier, next season.
Sabah's debut is also marked by a first-time qualification to the STL Champions Cup tournament. Joining Sabah in the cup competition on December 7 are the top six teams in STL Premier.
Sabah will compete in Group A with Premier champions, Penang Black Panthers, Kuala Lumpur Thunder and Kelantan Warriors.
Group B consists of Negeri Sembilan Antlers, ATM Guardians, Perak Bison and Johor Tigris.
The Sabah squad comprise team coach-cum-captain Daud Amba (feeder), Mohammad Kahar (tekong), Zolhelmi Zakaria (tekong), Mohammad Izwan Zukri (tekong), Sarip Sahari Mosiri (feeder), Redza Shahrizat Martin (killer).
Meanwhile, Sabah Sepaktakraw Association president (ASTAKA) Datuk Awang Sham Amit and his deputy Karim Rahim met with the players at the Kota Kinabalu Sports Complex here, yesterday.
Awang Sham believes the team's qualification to STL Premier is a booster to bring strong challenges to the STL Champions Cup tournament.
He said they were targeting a spot in the semi-finals.