KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Sports Board (SSB)’s failure to repair the damaged switch board may force the Rhinos to kick start their Premier League 2007-2008 campaign at the Tawau Sports Complex. At the moment there is no definite date when the Likas Stadium will be available, but it is understood that the earliest will be in January next year.
The Sabah FA Executive Secretary Harry Baking was tight-lipped when asked about this situation. However, he said that until the Likas Stadium is ready, the Rhinos will be playing their home matches at the Tawau Sports Complex.
They might even be forced to play the first round of the Premier League as well as the FA Cup challenge away from their usual hunting ground at the Likas Stadium.
Last season, Sabah played two Malaysia Cup games at the newly completed Tawau Sports Complex. The first time being the 3-1 victory over Negeri Sembilan in a Malaysia Cup quarter-final clash followed by the 1-1 semi-final draw against Perak.
If nothing is done to the Likas Stadium, then the Tawau fans have a lot to gain, as they will be in for another treat from the resurgent Rhinos.
The response by the Tawau soccer enthusiasts has been overwhelming where on both occasions the Tawau Sports Complex was packed to its capacity – believed to be in the region of 12,000.
Meanwhile, SSB General Manager Mahmood Kalong, when contacted yesterday, revealed that they were working hard to fix the floodlights at the Likas Stadium.
“There is no guarantee that the floodlights at the Stadium will be ready in time for the football season (Nov 19), but I can assure you that we are doing our best to fix the problem.
“However, if the worse was to happen, we have a ready replacement, the Tawau Stadium, like what transpired at the end of last season,” said Mahmood referring to Sabah’s last two home matches in the Malaysia Cup.
Sabah will be playing in the Premier League for the third consecutive year next season and will kick start their campaign on Nov 19 until Mar 29, 2008.
After the conclusion of the League, all the State teams and two best club sides will take part in the Malaysia Cup (April 19, 2008-June 21, 2008) and the FA Cup from December 11 to May 31, 2008.
Fixtures for the coming season will be drawn on Oct 28.
