THE Football Association of Penang (FAP) plays a vital role in developing the game in the state, says Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
Chow said the FAP helps to discover talents at the grassroots level by organising local football leagues.
“The FAP plays a significant role in developing football talents from the grassroots level to the national level,” he said during the launch of ‘FAP Tanjong Parliament U19 League’ today at Padang Brown.
Chow also thanked the FAP for collaborating with the Tanjong Parliament (service centre) to organise the league for the youth.
“Football is a sport that receives support from all layers of the society as well as all races in Malaysia.
“So, organising events such as this is a good platform to enhance brotherly ties among each other,” he said.
Chow added that the Penang government has recently launched the ‘LovePENANG’ campaign to urge all Penangites to rise stronger from the impact of Covid-19.
Meanwhile, FAP president Mohd Azizudin Mohd Shariff said a total of 20 teams would be playing in the league.
“This (league) is one way of stirring the interest in football among youngsters and we hope that the state government will keep supporting us,” Mohd Azizudin said.
Also present were Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang, Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng, Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Daniel Gooi and FAP vice-president Lau Keng Ee.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud
Video by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar