(Reuters) -The government of the Malaysian state of Johor has declared Monday a public holiday to celebrate Johor Darul Ta'zim's (JDT) reaching Saturday's Malaysia Cup final, where they face underdogs Sri Pahang in Bukit Jalil.
JDT are chasing a third consecutive treble — having already clinched the Super League and FA Cup — while their opponents Sri Pahang are eyeing their first domestic trophy since winning the FA Cup in 2018.
Onn Hafiz bin Ghazi, the Chief Minister of Johor, declared the holiday on Thursday night in a bid to rally fans for the Cup final, which had been facing sluggish ticket sales last week.
However, ticket sales have surged since, with local media reporting that 60 percent of seats have been sold. The Malaysian Football League is aiming to fill at least 80 percent of the 85,500-capacity National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
"With four Malaysia Cup titles already secured in 2017, 2019, 2022, and 2023, the mission for a fifth championship is now within reach," Bin Ghazi said.
"Come on, Southern Tigers supporters - let's flood the Bukit Jalil National Stadium to show our full support and become the 12th man for this match. May victory be with JDT."
He also invited JDT fans to a celebration event at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium on Sunday, calling it a grand celebration after the club's 11 straight Malaysian Super League title wins.
On Wednesday, MFL acting CEO Mohd Shazli Shaik Mohd attributed the boost in ticket sales to strong promotional efforts by both clubs, which also included a lucky draw featuring prizes like motorcycles, iPhones and Apple Watches.
Malaysia's Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh has urged the country's soccer authorities to undertake a sweeping overhaul of the sport's ecosystem and asked the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) to perform an assessment of Malaysian football.
(Reporting by Shifa Jahan in Bengaluru; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)
