SOCCER FRIENDLY: Teams of Museum Dept and the Media in a photocall prior to kick-off. Museum director-general Ibrahim is standing at back row, ninth left.
KUCHING: A football friendly between the Museum Department against the local media fraternity resulted in a 3-1 defeat for the pressmen at the Stadium Negeri here on Saturday.
The friendly match was held as part of the International Museum Day national-level celebration 2013 programme held in the city from May 22 until 27. Museum director general Dato Ibrahim Ismail, among other directors, also featured in the match which turned out to be quite a grand affair.
Despite being the visitor, the department had no lack of support with the presence of hundreds of their supporters made up of colleagues, families and delegates who came for the celebration from throughout the country.
ALL OUT: The Media in attacking play after trailing behind by three goals, until Christopher (left) pulled one back for the pressmen following a 30-yard strike.
Heavy rain and a thunderstorm in the afternoon before the 5pm kick-off did not deter the spirit of the players. Both teams committed on attacking play right from the first whistle. Despite wasting a handful of chances, the Museum Department led 2-0 at half-time.
Museum added another goal and missed a penalty before Media pulled one back to make the score 3-1. The goal of the match arguably went to Christopher Bishop of Utusan Borneo who scored from 30 yards after he was put through to goal.
Both teams continued to create chances only to be denied by poor finishing and a string of saves from the goalkeepers.
“We are very grateful to the media for their constant publicity on our activities to promote the museums throughout the country. Our friendly match today is aimed at enhancing ties with the local media fraternity.
“Thank you for the support in making this evening a joyful affair,” said Ibrahim who is also the chairman of the International Museum Day national-level celebration 2013 committee, when delivering his speech after the match.
Among other programmes during the six-day conference included an exhibition, seminar, bowling competition, visiting programmes to various museums in the city, sports carnival and also a Museum Historical Walk programme among others.
The national-level celebration has been held since 1992. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Museum (Memories + Creativity) = Social Change”. The state Museum Department last played host to the celebration in 2003.