Fun footie session for boys

SOME 250 schoolboys in the Manjung district were treated to an unforgettable football experience, thanks to the inaugural 1Malaysia Cardiff City (1MCC) Football Festival.

Held at Padang Astaka in Sitiawan, the event attracted the participation of 38 primary schools.

Each school played five matches of seven-a-side, each match taking 20 minutes.

I can do it: Dinesh (left) in action against the 1MCC Football Academy coaches.

A special exhibition match was also held between eight selected students and coaches of 1MCC.

It was an entertaining game as the boys stood up to their adult opponents with stride and slick football skills, and even scored a few goals.

Lumut MP Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha, in thanking 1MCC Football Academy for choosing Sitiawan as their first venue, said he was certain the event would instil the passion of playing football in youths.

It's mine: Two schoolboys having a go at the ball.

"Hopefully, it will also encourage more schools to set up their own football team," Kong, who is also Transport Minister, said when opening the event last Saturday.

1MCC Football Academy operations manager Cameron Ng said everyone was a winner at the event as each boy was given a medal and certificate.

"The idea is for them to have fun and experience a whole new level of football," said Ng.

SJK (T) Pangkor headmaster P. Pakeanathan said the event was worth their time travelling from the resort island.

"For the boys, it's definitely an eye-opener as we do not have a football field in our school.

Well done: Kong presenting medals to pupils from SJK (C) Uk Ing during the football festival.

"They have been training hard since the last two weeks for this event," said Pakeanathan, who spent about RM150 on transportation to the venue.

For A. Baskaran, it was a proud moment to see his son, B. Dinesh play against the 1MCC coaches in the special exhibition match.

"It is a golden opportunity for him to further develop his talents. He has been playing football since he was six," Baskaran said of Dinesh, a Year Six pupil of SK Methodist ACS, Sitiawan.

Music teacher Rohaidah Mustapha also agreed that the event was a good exposure for her pupils from SK Batu 10, Sitiawan.

"Despite the searing heat since morning, I can see it in their eyes that they enjoyed themselves thoroughly," said Rohaidah.

Mohd Ariff Amirul Fairoz said it was fun to play football with so many other boys, all in one day.

"I wish we can do this more often," said the SK Nakhoda Muhammad Taib Year Three pupil from Lumut.

At the end of the event, 30 boys were selected to attend a special 90-minute training session with the 1MCC coaches the following day.

The football festival's next stops are Pekan in Pahang and later Pagoh in Johor.

-The Star-

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