Chan (centre) performs the kick-off for the friendly match yesterday as the invited guests, officials and players look on at Jubilee Ground yesterday. — Photo by Chimon Upon
KUCHING: The Kuching South City Council (MBKS) encourages more Chinese play football and welcomes Chinese football teams from Peninsular Malaysia to play friendly games with their counterparts in Sarawak.
Mayor Dato James Chan said yesterday football was not popular among the Chinese community
as its youth prefer other sports like basketball, volleyball and table tennis.
“As a mayor of MBKS, I support the Chinese playing football and I welcome more teams comprising Chinese players from outside the state to come and play friendly games here,” he said after performing the kick-off for the friendly match between local Chinese team Stampin Hippo Football Club (Stampin Hippo FC) and visiting team from Johor Bahru Kaki Bola Cina Kulai Le Le (KBCK Le Le).
“The friendly match will not only enhance ties between the players but also promotes national integration,” Chan added.
Stampin Hippo FC was formed in 2012 but most of the members have been playing football together for more than 20 years.
Eighty-five per cent of the players are Chinese aged between 40 and 57.
On the other hand, KBCK Le Le, captained by Chong Teng Yap, was formed two years ago and players are predominantly Chinese aged 40 and above. This team includes two 60-year-olds in Lim Chee Fook, who has seven grandchildren and Tony Ng Bee Yong.
The 40-member delegation including family members and supporters from Johor is in Kuching from yesterday until Sunday.
They are here to play an invitation return match with Stampin Hippo FC after the latter went to Johor Bahru last October to play a friendly match there, which ended in a 1-1 draw.