KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Football Association (SAFA) wants to bring back the glory days of women's football at state and national level.
SAFA acting president Datuk Sri Bung Moktar Radin said Sabah was once the powerhouse of women's football in Malaysia and was also famous for producing many national players.
"Sabah held the record of winning the Tun Sharifah Rodziah Cup 14 times. Some of our players went on to represent the country and were even appointed as the national team captain," he said when presenting appointment letters to the Sabah women's football team officials and players.
Bung, who is also Sabah's deputy chief minister cum works minister, said there were 80 players who turned up during the selection trials for the state's team going for the Tun Sharifah tournament.
"The encouraging response reflected the high enthusiasm for women's football in Sabah," he said.
"We are now in the midst of organising football tournaments around the state to unearth new talents to groom them for future national tournaments.
"We are looking forward to bring back the good old days of Sabah's women football at national level."
Sabah women's team manager Datuk Jelani Hamdan believes Sabah can revive its past football fortunes through teamwork and cooperation between the players and the backroom staff.
"We are planning to hold friendly matches overseas including going to the Netherlands to enable the players to gain exposure and experience, besides training at home," he said.
Also in attendance were Sabah science, technology and innovation minister Datuk Yakub Khan, tourism, culture and environment minister Datuk Jafry Arifin and his assistant Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, SAFA secretary -general Benedict Asmat.