KUCHING: Several former Sarawak players are expected to feature when the 5th Chinese Lunar New Year Kirin Cup football tournament is held at Arena Cascara Stadium here from Jan 24 to 25.
Among the former Sarawak players set to take part are Wong Sai Kong, Saravanan Muthia, Ching Hong Aik, and Ramesh Lai Ban Huat, all of whom previously represented the state with distinction.
Now in its fifth edition, the Kirin Cup is contested in the veterans’ category for players aged 40 to 50 and above, providing a platform for former state and national players to return to competitive action.
The two-day veterans’ tournament will feature eight teams from Singapore and several Malaysian states, including Pulau Pinang, Selangor, Kedah, Kuala Lumpur, Perak, Pahang, and host Sarawak.
Organising committee chairman Kho Hua Pheng said the tournament is traditionally held ahead of the Chinese Lunar New Year to allow former players from across the country to reunite through football.
“This tournament is usually organised before the Chinese New Year to bring the players together during this period,” he told Sarawak Tribune.
Kho added that Sarawak is hosting the tournament for the first time and, interestingly, he explained that the majority of players participating are of Chinese ethnicity.
“Although this is a veterans’ tournament, the emphasis is on friendship and goodwill, while still maintaining a competitive spirit among the teams,” he added.
Group A comprises Perak Chinese Veterans, Beluga FC, Islanders FC, and Old Madrid FC, while Group B features Derga FC, Xin Hua FC, PJ Legend FC, and Hipmau FC.
He said the top two teams from each group qualify to compete for the semi-final slots and then advance to the final stage. Meanwhile, the other four teams that do not qualify will compete for places 5 to 8.
