OVER TO YOU: Herman (fourth right) present the trophy to Yakup at his office here yesterday after the Bintulu team emerged as runner-up in the competition.
BINTULU: Despite losing in the final of the Inter-divisions Maksak Veteran Football competition held in Sri Aman recently, the Bintulu Divisional Sarawak Government Services Welfare and Recreational Council (Maksak) team scored a commendable achievement.
Losing narrowly 0-1 to powerhouse Kuching in the thrilling final, the Bintulu team’s remarkable effort was praised by Bintulu Resident Muhamad Yakup Kari for their strong fighting spirit, hard work and determination.
All these were the contributing factors of the team’s success even though they were beaten in the final.
“I congratulate all of you for your fine achievement. We should be proud of this success, it gives a big impact in the development of football here in the future,” Yakup said when receiving a courtesy call from the players who presented to him the trophy at the Bintulu Resident’s Office yesterday.
Yakup, who is the chairman for Bintulu Maksak, proposed to give financial support and contribution to the team manager including four local players that were selected to represent Sarawak Maksak.
“We will continue to provide reasonable support and hope the current team can be maintained to compete in future tournaments,” he said.
He also hoped the players would continue practicing and participating in the local football league.
In the meantime, Bintulu Maksak secretary Guyang Kuda thanked the team manager Herman Lanying Tingang for his leadership role that made the team able to qualify for the final.
A total of 11 teams took part in the event. Bintulu beat Limbang 1-0 and drew 0-0 against Mukah in the preliminary rounds, while in the quarterfinals they defeated Betong 2-0 followed by an emphatic 3-0 win over Miri in the semi-finals only to lose 0-1 to Kuching in the final.
In the tournament, Mohd Hamid Ghani was crowned as best player, while Rosli Suhaili the top scorer.
Four players from Bintulu were selected to play for the state Maksak team in a tournament in Pahang from Oct 4 to 8. The quartet is Mohd Hamid Ghani, Rosli Suhaili, Paul Hajong@Mohd Taufek and Abdullah Tuah.
Earlier the lined up for the Bintulu Maksak team consist of Rosini Yalin, Raduwan Katong, Hamdani Ahmad, Rosli Bohari, Naini Ahmad, Laiseh Yor, Khamsul Masu’ut, Michael Sim Jen Choon and Mani Ukin.