Courtesy: The Star On Line


Council boys dare to think big

Tuesday, 20 December 2016

by Loganath Velloo

THE Penang Island City Council (MBPP) futsal team are confident of clinching one of the two qualifying berths available to feature in the National Futsal League (NFL) next year.

MBPP are one of 10 teams competing in the qualifying tournament for the NFL 2017 at the Panasonic Sports Complex in Shah Alam, Selangor, from tomorrow till Friday.

Only the top two finishers in the qualifying tournament will get to join the rest of the regular sides in the NFL.

Besides MBPP, the other teams in the fray for the qualifying tournament are Sarawak, Penang, Armed Forces, Immigration Department, KSMR Kangar, Kuantan Rangers, Petaling Putra, KL City and Sabah Quilmes.

“We started the intensive preparation for the qualifying tournament two months ago. Everybody in the team are MBPP employees but they are all experienced players. We’ve got several ex-Penang state team players and those that have featured for other teams in important futsal tournaments.

“Based on our recent results in friendly matches and tournaments, we have a strong chance of securing one of the two slots available,” said MBPP coach Mohamad Faizal Osman during the flag-handing ceremony to the team on Friday.

MBPP mayor Datuk Patahiyah Ismail handed over the state and contingent flags to the futsal team players and officials during the ceremony held at the City Stadium in Penang.

The MBPP futsal team’s new home and away jerseys were also unveiled during the ceremony.

“This is the first time that MBPP are taking part in a qualifying tournament for the NFL. We have assembled a dedicated team of players and coaches who want to place MBPP among the elite in the national futsal scene. I wish the team all the best,” said Patahiyah in her speech.

The new season of the NFL, the premier futsal tournament in Malaysia, is expected to start in January. There was no NFL held this year following the sudden withdrawal of the main sponsors Felda.


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