SABAH FC GET RM100,000 INCENTIVE FROM STATE GOVT FOR QUALIFYING AS FA CUP FINALIST

KOTA KINABALU, Dec 10 (Bernama) -- The Sabah state government today presented a RM100,000 incentive to Sabah FC as appreciation for the team's success in advancing to the FA Cup final for the first time after a 30-year wait.

Sabah Youth and Sports Development and Creative Economy Minister Datuk Nizam Titingan said the incentive was presented on the instructions of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor as a symbol of the government's support for the squad's historic achievement.

"We hope that Sabah FC will play well, with full commitment, with full determination, team spirit and hopefully with the prayers of all football fans in Sabah, after 30 years we can repeat the success of winning this FA Cup which we won in 1995," he said

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He said this to reporters after attending the Sabah FC Open Training Session at the Likas Stadium, here today.

Nizam, who is also a football fan, is optimistic that Sabah FC can create new history after last lifting the FA Cup in 1995.

“God willing, history will be made in 2025, Sabah FC will be the FA Cup champion.  We must have strong confidence,” he said.

In the final, Sabah FC will face defending champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) who advanced with a 4-1 aggregate win after defeating Kuching City FC 2-0 at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, Iskandar Puteri in the second leg semi-final.

MEANWHILE, in JOHOR, the Regent of Johor Tunku Mahkota Ismail plans to announce a special holiday for the occasion if Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) win the FA Cup on Dec 14.

He said the proposed special holiday for the occasion on Dec 15 is to celebrate the team's success in defending the championship for the fourth time in a row.

Tunku Ismail said this when answering a question about the holiday for the occasion in a programme of the Regent of Johor with JDT supporters, which was also broadcast live on JOHOR Southern Tigers Facebook page today.

"Of course, it's a holiday...if you win, don't take a holiday if you lose," he joked, to laughter from the crowd.

The Southern Tigers will face Sabah FC, who made history by qualifying for the FA Cup final for the first time by beating Selangor FC 5-4 in a penalty shootout, after drawing 5-5 on aggregate in the second semi-final match at Petaling Jaya City Council Stadium (MBPJ), on Nov 30.

-- BERNAMA