KOTA KINABALU: Players and staff from Sabah’s top under-18 and under-15 school football teams can finally heave a sigh of relief.
The teams from the Keningau interior district which became champions of the National School Sports Council (MSSM) state football tournament were in danger of missing out on the national tourney in Johor from Aug 25 to 30 due to a lack of funds.
But their prayers have now been answered after the state government stepped in with a RM50,000 special allocation.
Sabah Youth and Sports minister Datuk Ellron Angin announced the allocation in a press conference, saying the funds were meant for the teams’ expenses while in Johor.
Following the teams’ grouses that went viral on social media, Ellron said he tabled a proposal during the state Cabinet meeting on Thursday (Aug 17) for the special allocation.
“The state Cabinet unanimously approved the proposal,” he told reporters at his office here on Friday (Aug 18).
“Although the MSSM tournament is not the ministry’s responsibility, but as Sabahans and out of sportsmanship, we try to help because these teams might represent Sabah at a higher level like the Malaysia Games (Sukma), Asian Games or Olympics.
“I view this matter seriously. We can’t treat this lightly, we must help realise their dreams,” added Ellron, a former national sprinter.
Also present at the press conference were state Youth and Sports Assistant Minister Datuk Fairuz Renddan and Sabah Education director Raisin Saidin.
A football coach had posted on social media lamenting that players and coaches for his Keningau Under-18 team were unable to compete in the national MSSM despite winning the state tournament due to a lack of funds by the Sabah Education Department.
"What is our fate in Sabah...Keningau became champions of the Under-18 (state tournament),” said Naimmi Yusof, in a post that went viral on Facebook.
“The cost of the flight, meals and transport (in Johor) is around RM30,000 to RM40,000.
“Pity my coaches and players, they are feeling down. No use becoming the state champion," he said, questioning why the Education Ministry had not allocated sufficient funds to the state Education Department for the programme.
Naimmi said the Under-15 squad was also in danger of not competing in its category at the national MSSM.
On Thursday, Raisin said they were aware of the matter and were trying their best so that the teams would see action at the MSSM tourney.
Towards this end, Ellron hoped the state Education Department would apply for extra funds to help the teams.
In expressing the department’s appreciation, Raisin said the funds allocated by the state would greatly help the teams.
He added some RM61,000 was actually needed to send both teams to Johor.
“The department will take on the extra costs of RM11,000 while at the same time, some individuals and the private sector have expressed their intentions to contribute as well,” he said.
