KUCHING: Kuching City FC is eyeing football development powerhouse status ahead of its first ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup campaign.
Its Executive Chairman, Datuk Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman, said the regional appearance marked another major step for a club that had risen from the lower levels of Malaysian football.
“Our ambition now is not only to participate. We want Kuching City FC and Sarawak to become known as a football development powerhouse in this region,” he said.
He said this during the Strategic Partnership Signing Ceremony between Affin Bank Bhd and Kuching City FC at Hikmah Exchange here today.
He described the regional appearance as a special milestone in a journey that saw the club rise from the lowest level of Malaysian football into the Super League, compete against the country’s biggest clubs, and reach major domestic finals.
He said Kuching City had been built ‘step by step, season by season’, with the foundations of its development stretching back to 2012.
“At the time, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, who was then the Satok assemblyman, engaged with the Kuching Division Football Association on developing football in Kuching,” he added.
He said that since 2012, the Piala Datuk Abang Jo was subsequently held annually as the initiative helped develop a pool of players who could progress to higher competition.
Sharing further, he said that in 2015, Kuching sent a team to compete in Liga Bola Sepak Rakyat and went on to emerge champions.
He said another turning point came on January 11, 2017, when the Premier encouraged them to take the next step and build a team capable of reaching the highest level.
“That’s how it all started. And we had guidance and advice from the Premier from that day onwards until now. So that’s why I say he was the pillar behind the strength of Kuching City FC,” he said.
Fazzrudin recalled a time when Kuching City was struggling with poor results and told the team that there was no excuse for not trying, while their position at the time did not have to determine where they would eventually end up.
Most importantly, he said, no victory, cup or championship would simply be handed to them.
“We are going to have to fight for it. And it is not going to be easy. That became a part of the culture of Kuching City FC,” he said.
He said the question then was why the club was willing to fight so hard.
For him, the answer lay in the responsibility Kuching City carried beyond itself, particularly towards the people of Sarawak.
“We have a very big family, which is the people of Sarawak. We have a responsibility to inspire them, to give them hope.
“And through what we do on the football field, to tell every Sarawakian that we can do it,” he said.
He said the Kuching City family had grown from its management, coaching staff and players to include its supporters, fan club, sponsors and strategic partners.
He also welcomed Affin Group into that family as Kuching City FC’s official banking partner at what he described as an important moment for the club.
“When you join this family, you are not simply putting your name besides Kuching City FC. You are joining our journey, you are sharing our ambition, and you are becoming part of our responsibility to Sarawak,” he said.
He said there was much the two sides could do together, not only for the football club but also for its supporters, young people and the community.
This included creating new experiences for fans and opening more pathways for local talent and future generations.
“In return, we will give our utmost dedication on the field and off the field to take Kuching City further,” he said.
He said Kuching City had come a long way, but its journey was far from over as it prepares to take its next step beyond Malaysia.
“From Kuching to Malaysia and now on to ASEAN, we will continue moving forward, carrying the name of Kuching and Sarawak with pride. And we will fight for the next chapter,” he said.
