By FRANCIS XAVIER
KOTA KINABALU: The Chief Minister’s Cup Inter-District Football Tournament has been renamed as the Safa Cup. The annual tournament organised by Sabah Football Association (Safa) kicks off today.
A total of 31 teams from throughout the state will be in the fray. This time around, 2016 winners, Labuan will also make a comeback, while Membakut, Menumbok, Tamparuli and Matunggong have also been given a slot in the competition.
Safa deputy president Datuk Rahman Zakaria, who heads the Local Competition Committee, said they have decided to make slight changes to the competition.
He pointed out that besides changing its name from Chief Minister’s Cup to Safa Cup, they have also decided to include Membakut, Menumbok, Tamparuli and Matunggong as well as Labuan in the tournament.
“As the saying goes, the more the merrier. So that’s one of the reasons why we have decided to include the likes of Labuan, Membakut, Menumbok, Tamparuli and Matunggong.
“With these teams around, we will have a bigger pool when it comes to unearthing new talents,” said Rahman, who is also the organising committee chairman.
“Other than that, we have also decided to allow each team to register a maximum of two Reserve League or Under-19 players.
Previously, it was not the case.
“But we are sticking to the same ruling on over aged players where teams are allowed to register a maximum of three players (22-25 years old),” said Rahman, adding that teams are allowed to register 25 players, including the three over aged players as well as the Reserve League and Under-19.
The rest of the players, he said, must be Under 21 years old. According to him, these teams have been drawn into eight zones where it will be played based on a round robin format with teams that gain the most points emerging as the winners, which eventually earns them a place in the grand finals.
He said the preliminary round stage will take place from today until November 11 while the grand finals set for November 19-24.
Rahman said defending champions Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu will make up the four-team West Coast Zone along with Papar, Penampang and Putatan, while Interior Lower comprises Beaufort, Sipitang and Membakut.
Interior Upper is made up of Keningau, Tenom, Nabawan and Tambunan, while Nabalu Zone will see Kota Belud, Tuaran, Tamparuli and Ranau.
North Zone is made up of Kudat, Kota Marudu, Pitas and Matunggong, while Sandakan, Beluran, Kinabatangan, Telupid are in Sandakan Zone.
Tawau Zone comprises Tawau, Kunak, Lahad Datu and Semporna, while Interior Central will see Labuan, Menumbok and Kuala Penyu in the fray.
Rahman said Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu will play host to the West Coast Zone from November 4-6, and Beaufort will be hosting the Interior Lower Zone tournament from today until November 4.
Keningau is the organiser for the Interior Upper competition from November 9-11 while Ranau is the host of the Nabalu Zone, which will be held over two days on November 3 and 4.
North Zone tournament is to be hosted by Kudat from November 9-11, while Sandakan Zone to be held in Sandakan will be held from November 2-5.
As for the Tawau Zone, that will be happening in Tawau it will be played from November 9-11, the same for the Interior Central Zone, which is to be hosted by Labuan.
