KUCHING: Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg urged Kuching City FC to play with confidence ahead of their Malaysia Cup semi-final clash with Selangor.
Speaking at the 2025 Sarawak Premier Cup final between Bintulu FA and Samarahan FA at the Sarawak State Stadium today, the Premier praised Sarawak’s continued growth in football and the state’s efforts in nurturing young talent.
“We will play Selangor in the semi-finals. Don’t be afraid. Have confidence. If possible, go all the way to the final. Sarawak football is gaining strong momentum,” he said.
Kuching City FC advanced to the Malaysia Cup semi-finals with a 3-1 home win over DPMM FC on Saturday night, following a 3-1 victory in the first leg in Bandar Seri Begawan.
Meanwhile, Abang Johari congratulated the Football Association of Sarawak (FAS) and its president, Datuk Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman, for successfully organising the Sarawak Premier Cup, a state-level competition that began in September last year.
“We support this competition because we want to see the talents of Sarawak’s youth become professional football players in the future,” he said ahead of the final’s kick-off.
FAS president Datuk Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman acknowledged that organising a long-format league was a major undertaking.
“It is not easy to organise such a long league competition. First and foremost, I would like to express my highest appreciation to the Premier of Sarawak for supporting FAS in organising the Premier League and Premier Cup,” he said.
He also thanked Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, for his ministry’s support through the Sarawak Sports Council, particularly in providing venues for the matches.
“I would not have been able to implement this programme without the support and assistance of the Sarawak Football Association’s EXCO members. Thank you to my brothers in FAS,” he added.
Fazzrudin further expressed appreciation to the league’s sponsors, including Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (PETROS), Lea Sports Centre (LSC), Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC) and Bas Asia, which helped with team transportation.
He added that the final match would reach a wider audience through live television coverage.
“Today’s match will be watched worldwide thanks to the sponsorship of TVS. The match will be broadcast live on television – not just online, but on TV,” he said.
Bintulu made history today by defeating Samarahan 3-1 in a dramatic Sarawak Premier Cup final at Stadium Negeri, Petra Jaya, capping off an exciting season for state football.
