By Rafiqah Rauf
SHAH ALAM, July 29 — Nearly 100 secondary and primary schools statewide have joined the Piala Dato’ Mokhtar Dahari and Piala DYTM Raja Muda Selangor (RMS) football championships, which will begin in August.
Championship master committee chairman Dato’ Emran Kadir said 32 teams will participate in the under-18 and under-15 Piala Dato’ Mokhtar Dahari, and under-12 Piala RMS tournaments.
Emran said the championships, initiated by the Sultan of Selangor, continue being held to discover young talent at the grassroots.
“His Majesty’s desire is to see these championships produce as many talents as possible, not just for Selangor, but for the country.
“Some players from these championships have played for other states in finals, while some quarters attend these tournaments to scout players for their own clubs,” he said at the press conference and sponsorship handover for the tournaments here today.
[caption id="attachment_365949" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]
Piala Dato’ Mokhtar Dahari and Piala DYTM Raja Muda Selangor sponsorship recipients pose with their mock cheques at Kelab Warga Emas, Seksyen 24, Shah Alam, on July 29, 2024. — Picture by MOHD KHAIRUL HELMY MOHD DIN/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
Emran said the annual championships have attracted sponsorships of RM400,000.
“Among the main sponsors were Kumpulan Perangsang Selangor Bhd, to the tune of RM225,000, while Permodalan Negeri Selangor Bhd contributed RM100,000.
“There have also been contributions from private companies and local councils, with amounts of between RM5,000 and RM20,000.
Emran added that each team will receive sponsorship for costs for transport, their jerseys and other needs.
“We give every school RM1,000 for the under-15 and under-18 championships, and RM500 for the under-12 championship,” he said.
For Piala RMS, which is in its 35th edition this year, Emran said it was expanded statewide following its great impact at the district level.
“Before this, it only involved the education districts of Petaling Perdana and Petaling Utama, but this time the whole of Selangor is involved,” he said.
