FOCUS ON ALL-ROUND DEVELOPMENT

This was AFC General Secretary Dato’ Paul Mony Samuel’s message to the participants of the AFC U-14 Festival of Football for the ASEAN region during his opening speech.

Dato’ Paul underlined the importance of raising one’s standard of playing and explained the objectives of the festival and its associated events like coaching and refereeing workshops.

“At this age of development, the players should concentrate on overall performance rather than giving utmost importance to winning,” he said.

Dato’ Paul also urged the players and coaches to uphold the principles of fair play.

Also present on the occasion were Sabah’s Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports Affairs Jahid Jahim and Sabah Football Association President Lawrence Gimbang and Football Association of Malaysia Assistant General Secretary Saifuddin Abu Bakar.

A total of 242 players from 11 countries – Malaysia , Indonesia , Thailand , Singapore , Myanmar , Vietnam , Timor Leste, Cambodia , Laos , Brunei Darusalam and Philippines – are taking part in the festival which concludes on June 6.