Kota Kinabalu: England international Jamie Carragher is not coming to Kota Kinabalu after all.The Liverpool central defender who was on the front page of all the newspapers in the country as well as on the internet, radio and TV was supposed to be present at the Penampang District Under-12 Futsal Championship organised by the Sabah Sports Board on Feb18 and 19.
The Board's sports division manager Terrance Edward Pudin who was quoted in the news that the player would meet the fans in the State as well as contributing gifts clarified that he did not issue any statement regarding the appearance of the player.
"I was as shock as anybody else when I was informed of the news of Carragher making an appearance here at the competition," he said at a press conference on Thursday.
"I must make an apology over the incident as I truthfully did not make the statement and it was misquoted and I have no idea who gave the wrong information to the media."
He said the news even reached Carragher back in Liverpool and the player was also in the dark over his supposed appearance here.
Terrance said what he is certain of is the Under-12 competition has won the praise of the Liverpool player and he has endorsed the tournament under his Jamie Carragher's 23 Foundation.
He said it all started when Liverpool FC supporters here who called themselves Kota Kinabalu Reds met up with the Foundation's Asian Ambassador Steve Parry who is based in Hong Kong during the Red's tour in Kuala Lumpur last year.
"It was through them that our programme reached Carragher.
The player was very impressed by the work we have done since 2010 and he has agreed to give a personally signed autographed photo of himself as a grand prize for the winner as well as the Foundation's t-shirts and all the trophies and medals.
"Apart from that, the picture of the kids will also be displayed on the wall in Anfield where the Foundation is based."
The foundation was first started by the player to cater for the local Merseyside kids.
It was later branched out to the African countries and it was only just expanded to Asia and the tournament in Sabah was the first in Asia to gain an endorsement by the player.
Meanwhile, the competition will be held at the Penampang Sports Complex and 700 kids from 20 girls and 50 boys team are expected to take part.
It is to be opened by the Federal Minster of Plantation Industries and Commodities Tan Sri Bernard Dompok while State Assistant Finance Minster Datuk Donald Peter Mojuntin will close the championship.
Further information may contact Anthonneus Asbin (019-8724109), Safwan Samsir (016-3381087), Rainold Mokujin (013-8972801), William Sipaji (088-718060/ 013-8785853) or the Sports Board (088-221706).
