Jeon Ohchan presents a Suwon FC jersey to Abdul Karim as KFA president Rakawi Ibrahim (left) and Fazzrudin look on.
KUCHING: Kuching Football Association (KFA) and Suwon Football Club (Suwon FC) from South Korea have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance bilateral co-operation in the development of football.
The MoU were signed by KFA team manager Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman and Suwon FC secretary-general Jeon Ohchan, and witnessed by Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
Abdul Karim told reporters that it was the first time that a football club from Kuching to establish such collaboration with a professional club from South Korea.
He said that Suwon FC would sponsor players from KFA to train with the club in Suwon city, 30km south of Seoul, starting next year.
“The MoU is a positive development towards the development of football in the state as it will give the opportunity for local footballers to train in South Korea… I also see this MoU will enhance friendship between Malaysia and South Korea in other aspects, including tourism,” Abdul Karim said.
Suwon FC currently plays in the K League Challenge, the second tier of the South Korean league.
Fazzrudin said KFA would also sign MoU with Park Ji Sung Football Academy next year.
The association, in collaboration with the academy, is planning to send its under-14 team to participate in Ji Sung Trophy, before heading to Suwon FC for further training.
Meanwhile, a friendly match between KFA and South Korean celebrities will be held on Sunday at Stadium Sarawak. Former South Korean internationals are also expected in the lineup.