Kota Kinabalu: Jubilo Football Academy has officially received the trust of the Sabah Football Association (Safa) to manage and represent Sabah in the Under-16 category of the National Football Development Programme (NFDP) National Youth League 2026.
The official appointment was conveyed through the office of Safa Secretary-General Shamsuddin Mohd Shah, while the formal handover ceremony was also held together with the Safa Technical and Youth Development Committee at the Likas Sports Complex, recently.
The NFDP Under-16 National Youth League 2026 is scheduled to take place from Nov 27 to Dec 7, this year at the National Football Academy Mokhtar Dahari (AMD) in Gambang, Pahang, involving state representatives from across Malaysia.
For the NFDP 2026 participation, the player selection approach will focus on identifying the best talents from across Sabah regardless of their original academy, in line with efforts to develop the State’s football ecosystem through a collective, inclusive and merit-based approach.
As part of the early coordination of the team and development programme planning, a courtesy visit was conducted by Jubilo delegation led by its Chief Executive Officer and Team Manager, Saiful Azua @ Joe Golkhan.
Saiful said the appointment was a great honour for the entire Jubilo family after more than a decade of commitment towards grassroots football development in Sabah.
“This is not only about a competition team, but about providing opportunities for young Sabah players to grow in a more structured and competitive development environment.
“We hope this NFDP platform will help open up more pathways for the State’s young talents,” he said.
Meanwhile, Jubilo Football Academy Chairman Nizam Salleh Keruak said the responsibility entrusted by Safa would be carried out with full commitment for the future of Sabah football.
“We see this responsibility as a joint effort involving the entire Sabah football community.
“Our main focus is the development of young players, character building and creating a more inclusive and sustainable development pathway for future generations,” he said.
He added that Jubilo would continue to work closely with Safa, coaches, academies, parents and the State football community to strengthen Sabah’s grassroots football development ecosystem as a whole.
Jubilo Football Academy expressed its appreciation to the Safa Technical and Youth Development Committee, particularly Safa Technical Director Roney Asmadul Bakar, for the cooperation, guidance and support extended towards strengthening youth football development in Sabah.
Jubilo began its journey in 2008 in Kota Belud as Jubilo Football Club before undergoing a rebranding process as Jubilo Football Academy in 2023 after more than 15 years of active involvement in grassroots football development in Sabah.
As of today, Jubilo is actively developing young players in the Under-8 to Under-16 categories across several districts including Kota Kinabalu, Tuaran, Papar, Kota Belud and Kota Marudu, with a focus on talent development, discipline, sports education and a structured player development pathway.
Apart from grassroots development, Jubilo has also helped produce several players who have progressed to higher levels, including representing Sabah FC and the Malaysia women’s national team.
