By FRANCIS XAVIER
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah will go into the new season with a new identity. The stateside want to be known as Tambadau, which is local slang for Seladang (Gaurs), replacing Sabah Rhinos as they were known for the past years. The change of identity or mascot was revealed by Sabah Football Association (Safa) acting president Datuk Peter Anthony during the launching of the team’s jersey cum players’ introduction for the new season held at a local hotel here yesterday. Apart from that, there was no major surprise at the event as they unveiled a squad which looked rather familiar with only minor changes being brought into the team.
On the local front, it is almost the same faces that will spearhead the State’s challenge with only three players from last year’s squad failing to make the cut, namely Leopold Alfonso Otong, Penang’s Dawira Sazan and youngster Mohd Aidil Safee. Leopold is now believed to be playing for a local team featuring in the KDM Football League 2018-2019 challenge, while Dawira has returned to his home state while Mohd Aidil has been dropped to the President’s Cup side.
Another youngster Hamran Peter is also yet to pen a new deal. But the striker, who just went for an operation on his injury, is likely to be offered a contract during the mid-season transfer window. The rest of the players have been retained, namely Robson Rendy Rining, Mohd Sakri Masri, Rawilson Batuil, Dendy Lowa, Jenius Karib, Ummareng Bachok, Randy Baruh, Mohd Azzizan Nordin, Ricco Nigel Milus, Maxsius Musa, Sabri Sahar, Mohd Azwan Abd Fattah, Alto Linus, Rahman Shah Marajeh, Stanley Sulong, Evan Wensley, Rozaimi Rohim and Elias Sulaiman.
At the same time, head coach Jelius Ating also promoted two players from the President’s Cup team, namely midfielder Mohd Syukri Baharun and defender Ranilson, who is the younger brother of captain Rawilson. Jelius also brought back the State’s ex-President’s Cupper, Muhammad Mohd Safar into the team.
The lanky player played for Perak’s PKNP FC last season. As for the imports, only one of the four from last year’s team has been retained in Serbian striker Rodoljub Paunovic, whose contract runs until the middle of the new season. The likes of Zambian defender Francis Kasonde, Puerto Rico striker Hector Ramos and Keisuke Ogawa from Japan left the team at the end of their contracts late last year. But Jelius’ squad is still not complete as he is still hunting for three foreign players. It is very likely that he is going to sign a Korean defender Park Tae Su, who was also seen at the function, along with two other foreign hopefuls.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal, who graced the function believed the State senior squad have what it takes to mount a strong challenge in their Premier League 2019 campaign. He said Safa under new leadership and management led by Peter should breathe new life into the association. Shafie said that with a new ‘Hala Tuju’ set for the association, Sabah should not only have a formidable team but also an efficient administration that could contribute to the betterment of football in the state.
“Sabah has a long history of producing top quality footballers and if we can focus more on such efforts, I strongly believe that we will achieve success. I noticed that the spirit within the team is very high…the spirit is there and now we need to ensure that we further enhance or improve its management,” said Shafie. Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred M. Tangau, Rural Development Minister Datuk Ewon Benedict, Assistant Finance Minister Kenny Chua and Datuk Masiung Banah, as well as Safa senior officials, were present. Safa Deputy President I and II, Hamid Apdal and Datuk Rahman Zakaria, Vice Presidents Datuk Juil Nuatim, Benedict Asmat, Mohd Ismail Ayub and other Safa officials were also present.
