Kota Kinabalu: More grassroot programmes are set to be launched across the State by FIT Touch Association of Sabah (Fitas) following the success of the first-ever Touch Football Festival in collaboration with Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) held from June 2-4 at UMS.
Fitas president Dr Ahmad Wazir Aiman said they received positive response with many organisations and sports clubs keen to participate and collaborate in future Touch Football events.
“We intend to introduce more tournaments in the future, building upon the momentum generated by this ground-breaking festival. We are also planning to implement grassroots programmes throughout Sabah’s regions in the upcoming months.
“We aim to engage and nurture aspiring athletes from a young age. These initiatives will lay the groundwork for more Sabah representation in the international arena, as in the 10th edition of the Touch World Cup which is scheduled to take place in Nottingham, England, next year,” he said.
Ahmad Wazir is currently the sole Sabahan selected to represent the country in Nottingham.
Meanwhile, the festival started on the first day with a referee course aimed to produce locally trained and competent referees to support the growth of the sport.
It was followed by a two-day competition with 14 teams taking part at field C in UMS. KK Sharks emerged as champions in the men’s open category, while Angel Warriors claimed the top spot in the women’s open category.
Mohd Rabbani Saifullah and Divine Juvinol were awarded the best players in the men’s and women’s categories respectively.
The festival was supported by various business sectors with contributions from Lea Sports Centre (LSC), No Fear, and other prominent brands like Trusted Sharks, Sabasco, Eureka, Synergist Physiotherapy, Atlas Edibe Ice, and Tritonic.
