Daily Express
Kota Kinabalu: Football in Sabah is on the rise with the emergence of various clubs from among local youths and the latest football club, Itihad FC, has set a high goal in that it aims to qualify for the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) 2016 League.
While the new club is expected to add to the colour in the sport of football in the State, it is also seen as complimenting in the effort to revive Sabah's football glory.
The team made its debut in the State's football scenario with good teamwork, clean and steady resulting in other teams taking note of the new team in town.
Most of its players are from around Kota Kinabalu.
It started with a series of triumphs in friendly matches and from thereon, Itihad FC has moved forward and become a team to be reckoned with to be on par with other top teams within the city.
Among the teams that it defeated were UiTM FC and Kolej Yayasan Sabah.
Itihad also surprised one of Keningau's top team, Juta FC, recently during its friendly match by defeating it 1-0.
The strings of successes has certainly enhanced the team's spirit resulting in the club owner, Mohd Saifullah Datuk Hisham, to target the team's participation in the FAM League next year.
"The players' performance have certainly improved and if they continue with this form, I strongly believe that our target for a place in the FAM League would be attained," he said.
The 24-year-old businessman from Semporna, said he has contacted an Iranian football coach to train the team.
And according to him, the coach, who has been living in Malaysia for long, has agreed to terms and condition.
"He (coach) has also signed a contract to coach the team until 2017," he said.
To further strengthen the team, he said that there are plans to hire former Sabah import players.
To this, he hoped that football fans would render their support to Itihad FC whenever the team take part in football competitions.
