MIRI: Two Penan football teams will join 14 other teams to vie for the championship title of the YB Lihan Jok 7-a-side football tournament from Aug 7-8.
FOOTBALL LOVERS: Dennis (seated third left) with the organising committee. On his right is Leonard.
The Penan footballers are travelling all the way from Long Kevok in ulu Baram to Miri.
“We are very happy indeed that the Penan community is participating in the championship to be held at Miri Youth Centre. This is the second time the tournament is held for footballers from Telang Usan. The first one was held at Long Pilah in middle Baram last year where 15 teams took part,” said Telang Usan PBB youth chief Dennis Ngau Jok.
He added that the objective of the tournament is to select players to represent Telang Usan PBB youth for the 2nd PBB Youth Chief Sarawak Challenge Trophy this November.
“By organising this tournament, we hope to create an avenue for our youths from Telang Usan to strengthen unity and encourage healthy lifestyle by being active in sports,” said organising chairman Leonard Luhat Laing.
Meanwhile, Long Bedian in Tutoh-Apoh region has been identified as the 2011 tournament venue to give opportunity for teams from the region to participate.
The opening ceremony is expected to be officiated by the political secretary to the Chief Minister Ripin Lamat while the closing and prize giving ceremony will be graced by the Telang Usan assemblyman Lihan Jok.