By: Rosli Mansor Ahmad Razali
IPOH: A total of 1,100 players, coaches and team managers gathered at Padang Ipoh today for the 18th Perak State Tamil National-Type Schools (SJKT) Under-12 Football Championship, which features 28 teams from across the state.
Perak Health, Human Resources, National Integration and Indian Community Affairs Committee chairman, A. Sivanesan, said the annual tournament serves as an important platform to nurture young football talents while instilling sportsmanship, discipline and teamwork among participants.
A total of 18 boys’ teams and 10 girls’ teams are competing in this year’s edition, including the maiden participation of the Perak Indian Football Association (PIFA) boys’ and girls’ teams formed through the Indian Football Development Programme under MITRA.
“I am proud of PIFA’s commitment to organising this tournament, which is not only a sporting competition but also a platform for character development and unity.
“Football teaches physical endurance, mental strength and tactical intelligence, values that are equally important in everyday life,” he said when officiating the tournament today.
Sivanesan also revealed that he had allocated RM30,000 to support this year’s championship, marking the fourth consecutive year he has contributed towards the event.
He said the tournament aims to encourage wider participation among SJKT schools in Perak while identifying the best players to represent the state at the national-level MIFA competition.
“I am confident this championship will continue to produce talented players who can progress to higher levels and bring glory to Perak,” he added.
He also urged participants to compete with determination, maintain discipline and respect referees’ decisions throughout the tournament.
The championship offers cash prizes, medals and certificates to the top-performing teams in both the boys’ and girls’ categories.
