Courtesy: New Straits Times


YACHTING: Beladau Kolam United win 'Monsoon Cup'

by Zainuddin Muhammad

It was Beladau Kolam United who won the Monsoon Cup on Saturday. But they did not have to beat Ian Williams, Francesco Bruni, Torvar Mirsky, Datuk Peter Gilmour or any other competing skipper in the last leg of the World Match Racing Tour to get their hands on the trophy.

In fact, the boys from Kampung Beladau Kolam in Manir did not even have to go sailing as all they needed to do was beat seven other teams, including Beladau Kolam Merbau, in the final of the Beladau Kolam Under-15 Futsal Tournament.

Hulu Terengganu Umno vice-head Yusof Awang Hitam, who presented the winners with their prizes, said the futsal competition was held in conjunction with the Monsoon Cup and the opening of the new field in the village.

"The trophy is dubbed the 'Monsoon Cup' to make it more exciting for the boys and the winners will be taken on an all-expenses paid trip to Pulau Duyong to catch the action in the real Monsoon Cup.

"Futsal is not the only sport contested here as we also have football and handball competitions for the youths in the village and the winners will also be going to the Monsoon Cup," said Yusof, who is also Manir constituency development officer.

Faizal Azmi, 14, who scored the winning goal for Beladau Kolam United in their 2-1 victory, said the trip to watch the match racing competition in Pulau Duyong during the Monsoon Cup week on Nov 22 -27, will be his first.

"I do not live too far away from Pulau Duyong but until now, I have not had a chance to go there and watch the Monsoon Cup from up close.

"I have heard from friends that thousands will be there and I want to feel the excitement for myself as there will be other things too beside sailing such as concerts, kick-boxing, arm-wrestling and other fun stuff," he said.

Teammate Amir Zimi Razak, 11, said he will not miss the trip to Pulau Duyong as Upin and Ipin will be at the Monsoon Cup too.

"This is going to be fun. I am going to take a lot of photographs, not only of Upin and Ipin, but all those world famous sailors too,"" he said.




Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com