By FRANCIS XAVIER Francis@newsabahtimes.com.my
KOTA KINABALU: FAM Cup-bound Sabah KDM FC will begin their centralised training on January 7 at the Penampang Stadium.
Kadazan Dusun Murut (KDM) Malaysia youth chief Henry Saimpon said the centralised training will start at 3pm. He added they have shortlisted 30 players to attend the centralised training.
The footballers were selected from the recent trials at several venues last month.
“We will further trim the squad after the centralised training as well as decide on the numbers of players to be registered with FAM (Football Association of Malaysia).
“The president (Datuk Peter Anthony) will make the announcement,” said Henry yesterday.
Sabah KDMM FC are one of the two club sides from the state that have received the green light to compete in the FAM Cup league 2016.
The other team are DYS FC.
The FAM competition rules and regulations allows a maximum of 30 players and a minimum of 20 footballers to be registered for the FAM Cup, which is the country’s third-tier football league competition after the Super League and Premier League.
“We will make use of the time to prepare the team well to face the league competition. The closing date for players’ registration is on January 18.
“So far our preparations are on track,” said Henry.
A majority of the KDMM FC players are selected from the highly successful KDM Malaysia Football League 2014-2015.
Being the largest ever competition locally, the KDM Malaysia Football League attracted 16 district teams playing in a home-and-away format league competition.
“Many of the players are a product of the KDM Malaysia League. However, we may also rope in several experienced players to beef up the squad to face the FAM Cup,” he said.
Sabah were last represented in the FAM Cup by Sabah Cebagoo FC in 2013 and 2014 but withdrew from the competition last season.
