KUCHING: Youth football momentum continues to build in Sarawak as the PETRONAS Youth Closed Tournament 2025 expands to Bintulu, welcoming over 2,000 players and team officials.
The tournament returns on a larger scale this year, with matches to be held in both Kuching and Bintulu, marking a significant step forward for grassroots football in the state.
Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, said the tournament is back with greater reach and impact.
“Last year, the tournament was only held in Kuching. This year, it has expanded to include Bintulu as well,” he said.
He expressed hope that the tournament would continue to grow and reach more towns and districts across Sarawak in the coming years.
“Hopefully, after Kuching and Bintulu this year, more areas will follow suit – towns and districts throughout the state.
“What matters most is the interest being developed on the ground among the youth.
“We are doing something very good – a noble service,” he said in a press conference held at Baitulmakmur Building II today.
Abdul Karim also announced that the inaugural PETRONAS Youth Football Champions League 2025 (PYFCL) will be held in Kuching from December 29, 2025, to January 3, 2026.
The Kuching leg of the PYFCT will run from July 5 to September 13, while Bintulu will host its leg from October 5 to November 22.
A total of 92 teams from 22 academies and schools will participate in Kuching, while 24 teams from 12 institutions are expected in Bintulu.
Abdul Karim also thanked PETRONAS and its partners, including the Kuching District Football Association (KDFA), Kuching City Football Club (KCFC), Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC), TVS, and the Bintulu Football Association (BIFA).
He acknowledged the support of various agencies involved in the effort, such as the Sarawak Education Department, Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Campus, and Lea Sports Centre.
This year’s tournament will also feature the PYFCT 2025 mobile app, hosted on the EasyTournament platform, allowing parents and the community to follow match schedules, team progress, and results in real time.
Among those present were Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development (MYSED) Permanent Secretary Morshidi Fredrick; PETRONAS Sarawak General Manager and PYFCT 2025 Co-Organising Chairperson Norazibah Md Rabu; SSC CEO Khairul Nizam Morshidi; Kuching City FC CEO Iswandi Ali Hassan; and Lea Holdings Sdn Bhd Managing Director Raymond Sim Hee Pang.
